Rafting with REO!

We took my parents for a trip to REO Rafting at the end of last summer for their birthday presents. It was amazing! I asked Joe what he thought of it and he said it was great, "but you didn't even go down the fun part". *L* There's an option to go down a harder part of the river but to do it you have to jump out of the raft and prove you can swim. Well, there was no way I was voluntarily going into the water so I had to take a bus down the crazy part. Watching the men go down that section I have to say that when I go again I will definitely jump in the lake to prove I can swim rather than miss it again! My parents said it was an experience of a lifetime and I can't wait to go again. If you've ever wanted to go rafting you should check out REO! And I can smugly say that I was the only person in our boat of 7 that didn't fall into the water. Even my Mom and the guide fell in once. *L* Here are some of our pictures. :)

Not just another questionnaire

A questionnaire for people with some life experience!

Here are some questions for the people who are a little more 'mature' ...

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
Ick! Definitely Hydro!!

2. Where's the best place to eat a romantic dinner?
I like Milestones

3. ??
Hmmm ... what does this mean?

4. When is the last time you danced on a bar?
Never on a bar and not even in a bar in a very long time.

5. Name of your first grade teacher?
Miss Baron at Godson Elementary

6. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Sleeping or swimming ... it's a toss up!

7. What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A teacher or a lawyer

8. How many colleges did you attend?
Just one

9. Why did you wear the shirt that you have on right now?
It fit :S

10. GAS PRICES First thought?
Sumas saves me money! ($15 a tank!)

11. If you could move anywhere and take someone with you?
I would just move to a newer house and take my family

12. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
no alarm ... baby crying! And I wondered how much $$ I could get if I sold him. ;)

13. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
Please let the baby sleep in

15. Favorite style of underwear for the opposite sex?
boxer briefs

16. What errand/chore do you despise?
most of them *L* ... I HATE folding laundry

17. If you didn't have to work, would you volunteer at an art gallery?
nope ... I know nothing about art

18. Get up early or sleep in?
I'd love to sleep until 10 every day

19. What was your favorite cartoon character?
Garfield, I guess

20. Favorite NON sexual thing to do at night with someone of the opposite sex?
relax on the couch

21. A secret that you wouldn't mind everyone knowing?
I don't keep secrets, I have a big mouth :P

22. Are you planning on remaining in your current Job?
as a Mommy, yep!

23. Do you see yourself married in the next five years?
I better be!

24. Your favorite lunch meat?
I don't eat meat

25. What do you get every time you go into a grocery store?
milk

26. Beach or lake?
beach

27. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual that was invented by people who died at 20?
what?!? Marriage is wonderful!

28. TV show you miss?
Grey's Anatomy but it'll be back next season

29. Favorite guilty pleasure?
Facebook :P

30. Favorite movie you wouldn't want anyone to find out about?
A Cinderella Story with Hillary Duff (I don't know why!)

31. What's your drink?
milk!!

32. Cowboys or Indians?
cowboys but how un-PC is this question?!?

33. Cops or Robbers?
cops

34. Do you cheer for the bad guy in a movie?
not unless he's been portrayed as the 'good' bad guy

35. What Hollywood star do you think resembles you best?
none!

36. If you had to pick one, which cast member of Lost would you be?
I don't watch lost but Angeline Lily is gorgeous so I guess I could be her ;)

37. What do you want when you are sick?
sleep

38. Who from school would you like to run into?
My girls! (but I just saw most of you earlier this week)

39. What radio station is your car radio tuned to right now?
Country 107.1 (but I'm currently listening to the new Brad Paisley CD ... so good! - 'Mr Policeman' and 'I'm So Much Cooler Online' - heehee)

43. Raskolnikov (Crime & Punishment) or Leo Myshkin (the Idiot)?
I don't remember this from University ... uh oh!

44. Worst relationship mistake that you wish you could take back?
I don't think I have any ...

45. Do you like the person who's directly across/beside from you at work?
I don't work but I love my children who are currently beside me! :)

46. If you could get away with it, whom would you kill?
I wouldn't kill anyone

47. What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
I don't want to meet anyone famous ... I have a 'you think you're better than me?!?' complex.

48. What famous person would you like to sleep with?
none

49. Have you ever had to use a firearm?
hahaha. I trained on one at Customs and theoretically 'shot myself in the hand' so failed my first time through. :P

50. Last book you read?
Joshua's kids bible to him before nap time ... how dull am I?

51. Do you have a teddy bear?
Mooshie, he belongs to Joshua now

52. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth?
camping with a bottle of water ... not so strange!

53. Somewhere in the world you've never been and would like to go?
Mexico -- we're hoping to go this winter though!

54. Number of texts in a day?
1-4

55. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or relationship?
Career! - and one day I will!

56. Favorite Winter Summer Olympic Sport?
no idea

57. Pencil or pen?
Pen

58. Ancient Egyptians or Mayans?
Again, no idea

59. How many jobs have you had?
Officially, 5 ...
Custodian at Richardson Appraisals
Cashier at Hemingways Used Books
Cashier/Prep at Wendys
Returns Cashier at Home Depot
Customs Inspector at Canada Border Services Agency

60. Are you where you thought you would be at this age?
Pretty much, yeah ... I'm where I had hoped to be, anyway. Well, I'm not a lawyer but family-wise I am! ;)

Cartoons

Birth Order

You Are Likely an Only Child

At your darkest moments, you feel frustrated. At work and school, you do best when you're organizing. When you love someone, you tend to worry about them. In friendship, you are emotional and sympathetic. Your ideal careers are: radio announcer, finance, teaching, ministry, and management. You will leave your mark on the world with organizational leadership, maybe as the author of self-help books.

The Birth Order Predictor

Directions

I hate email forwards so I just re-post them on here, rather than sending them on! ;)

This is too funny, you should try it ....

-- Go to Google.com

-- Click on Maps

-- Click on Get Directions

-- From New York, New York

-- To Paris, France

-- And read line # 24

I laughed! :P

Happy Mother's Day!

Before I was a Mom I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.
Before I was a Mom - I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.
Before I was a Mom I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put them down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom - I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom - I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

Author Unknown

This made me laugh ...

This story was shared on the Ellen Degeneres Show ...

"We had a 10 year old cat named Jack. Jack was a great cat. The kids would carry him around and sit on him and nothing ever seemed to bother him. He would just hang out and nap on a mat in our bathroom.

Well, we have 3 kids and at the time of this story they were 4 years old, 3 years old and 1 year old. The middle one is Eli. Eli really loves Chapstick. I mean, he LOVES it. He kept asking to use my Chapstick and then losing it. So one day I showed him where in the bathroom I keep my Chapstick and explained how he could use it whenever he wanted, as long as he returned it to the drawer when he was done.

Last year on Mother's Day, we were having the typical rush around, trying to get ready for Church with everyone crying and carrying on. My two boys were fighting over the toy in the cereal box. I was trying to nurse my little one while attempting to apply some make-up. Everything was a mess and everyone had long forgotten that this was supposed to be a wonderful day to honor me and the amazing job that is motherhood.

We finally had the older one and the baby loaded in the car and I went looking for Eli. I had searched everywhere and finally rounded the corner to go into the bathroom. There was Eli. He was applying my Chapstick very carefully to Jack's ... rear end.

Eli looked right into my eyes and said "chapped." Now if you have a cat, you know that he was right -- their little butts do look pretty chapped. And, frankly, Jack didn't seem to mind.

The only question I could really ask at that point was whether this was the FIRST time Eli had done that to the cat's behind ...

And THAT is my favorite Mother's Day moment ever because it reminds us that no matter how hard we try to civilize these glorious little creatures, there will always be that day when you realize they've been using your Chapstick on the cat's butt."

What Does Your Birth Date Mean ...

Your Birthdate: April 27

You are a spiritual soul - a person who tries to find meaning in everything. You spend a good amount of time meditating, trying to figure out life. Helping others is also important to you. You enjoy social activities with that goal. You are very generous and giving. Yet you expect very little in return. Your strength: Getting along with anyone and everyone Your weakness: Needing a good amount of downtime to recharge Your power color: Cobalt blue Your power symbol: Dove Your power month: September

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Hmm ... honestly, when I read this I think Stephanie, not me. But I guess it is her birthday too! ;)

One Crazy Day!

A few weeks ago I volunteered to watch Amy's son (Owen) and Cheryl's son (Devon) on the same day. I had 4 boys under the age of 2 for several hours and it was definitely a learning experience! Fortunately, Joshua (22 months) and Owen (14 months) played together while Devon (7 months) and James (4 months) tried to play together. The boys were all very good and the day went smoothly but it made me realize that I want to wait a lot longer before we have our 3rd child. :P

I'm a Nerd Wannabe

Yay! I'm only a Nerd Wannabe! I know for a fact I would have scored much nerdier (if that's even a word ...) in highschool, though! :P

It makes me think ... was my elementary school affiliation (and co-founding) of the 'Nerd Herd' warranted?!? :P

4 Things ...

FOUR THINGS YOU MAY NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT ME:

A) Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Cashier/Prep at Wendy's
2. Returns Cashier at Home Depot
3. Customs Inspector at Canada Border Services Agency
4. Mommy

B) Four places I have lived:
1. I have lived in 12 different houses, all in Abbotsford

C) Four TV shows I love to watch
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. Desperate Housewives
3. Brothers and Sisters
4. Flip That House

D) Four Places I have been on vacation:
1. Osoyoos
2. Arizona
3. Ottawa
4. Edmonton

E) Four of my favourite foods:
1. Vegetarian Tacos
2. Cheese Pizza (easy sauce)
3. Greek Potatoes
4. Grilled Cheese and Fries

F) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. In bed sleeping
2. Rowena's Inn on the River
3. Mexico
4. Penticton

G) Four friends I think will re-post onto their own blogs
1. All of you! :P

Memories

Leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Don't send a message, leave a comment on here. Next, re-post this in your own blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses. Repost as "memories."...

Beer Mileage

Strangely enough, I got this from my Mom who hasn't had a drink in more than 10 years ...

Good News ...

A 2006 study found that the average Canadian walks about 900 miles a year.

Another study found that Canadians drink an average of 22 gallons of beer a year.

This means that Canadians are getting about 41 miles to the gallon!! :)

Escape!

Joe is taking me away for my birthday (or rather, in the week of my birthday)! YAY!! Joshua will stay with my parents and James will stay with his parents while we go to Rowena's Inn on the River for Monday and Tuesday nights. It's a bed and breakfast in Harrison Mills that has been recommended to us by at least 5 different people. We are booked into a private cabin with a wood fireplace, jacuzzi and breakfast in bed! I really cannot wait to get away. We will get 2 whole nights of sleep, uninterrupted by small children! WOW!! Thank you to my Mom and Rick and Joe's Mom and Dad for keeping the boys and to my wonderful and thoughtful husband ... I love you, Joey!

Johnny Reid Concert

I went to the most amazing concert last night! I wasn't even sure I wanted to go because at this stage in my life sleep takes precendence over everything else *L* but my Mom had bought me a ticket so I went. It was the most amazing concert!! There were no special effects like we saw at the Neon Circus or huge names like Tim and Faith with Soul 2 Soul II but it was held at the Clarke Theatre in Mission and there were maybe 400 people there. We had front row tickets and met Johnny after the show. Like I said, AMAZING! This man is so talented. At one point I was taking pictures and he bent down and stole the camera to take a picture of Steph and I in the audience and then took it around taking pictures of his band for us. I am not a groupie and would never follow someone around or request their autograph but we did meet him and he signed some CD jackets for my Mom and her friend, Stella. He also saw my Mom on her cane and asked me what was wrong. When I told him she had MS (she and Stella were waiting further away, on a bench), he beckoned her over and gave her a hug and a picture that they were selling at the artist table with a special message for her. He is such a nice guy!! Here is his latest video and I will post pictures later ... I wish I could get out to his show in Vancouver tonight (but who would brave the Canucks play-off traffic to see a concert they had already seen?!?) :P

What?!?

The things people come up with!

How (unfortunately) true! *L*

That's Mine!

Joshua likes to grab my camera and take pictures. Visit http://joshuaparson.blogspot.com/ for his newest photos. :)

Visit with Owen

Owen Lanteigne came over for a visit last week while his Mama (Amy) went to work. Joshua had a great time playing with Owen and was very upset when he had to leave. Maybe Owen will come back this week, too?!?

One. Word.

I stole this from Amy ... *yoink*

You.
Can.
Only.
Type.
One.
Word.

Not as easy as you might think ...

1. Yourself: Stacey
2. Your significant other?: Joseph
3. Your hair?: long
4. Your mother: Debbie
5. Your Father?: Mike
6. Your Step-Father?: Tom/Rick - sorry ... 2 words for 2 step-fathers! ;)
7. Your dream last night: none
8. Your Favorite drink: bellini
9. Your Dream Car: Acura
10. The room you are in: messy
11. Your Ex: young
12. Your fears: lessened
13. What do you want to be in 10 years: happy
14. Who you hung out with last night: family
15. What You're Not?: promiscuous ;)
16. Muffins: yum
17: One of Your Wish List Items: vacation
18: Time: evening
19. The Last Thing You Did: walk
20. What You Are Wearing: jeans
21. Your Favorite Weather: warm
22. Your Favorite Book: many
23. The last thing you ate: cookie
24. Your Life: great
25. Your Mood: okay
26. Your Friends: amazing
27. What are you thinking about right now?: family
29. What are you doing at the moment?: smiling
30. Your summer: short
31. Your relationship status: wife
32. What is on your tv?: nothing
33. When is the last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried?: Saturday
35. School?: UCFV

My 8 Lasts ...

EIGHT Lasts:
8. Last kiss: Hmmm ... must have been yesterday.
7. last beverage: A glass of milk this morning.
6. last phone call: From my sister, Stephanie.
5. last text message: From my husband when he was in the Okanagan last week. :)
4. last cd played: I think Stephanie and I listened to some sad 80's songs in her car a few days ago ... otherwise, I always listen to the radio.
3. last BUBBLE bath: Who has TIME for those???
2. last time you cried: I'm a sap, it was Saturday afternoon :P
1. last meal: Easter dinner at the in-laws. It was SO good. I wish I had leftovers.

SEVEN have you's:
7. have you ever dated someone twice? Nope.
6. have you ever been cheated on? Fortunately, no.
5. have you ever kissed someone you weren't dating? Perhaps.
4. have you ever fallen in love? Definitely.
3. have you ever lost someone? I've had some people I was close to pass away ... is this what they mean?!?
2. have you ever been depressed? Sad, yes. Clinically depressed, nope.
1. have you ever peed your pants? Not since I was old enough to remember.

SIX things you did in the past three days:
1. Went to school: Not anymore.
2. Went to work: Define "work".
3. Coloured: I colour everyday. It's the joy of having an almost 2 year old!
5. Got drunk: No.
6. Slept: Not enough.

FIVE people you can tell pretty much anything to:
1. Joe.
2. Stephanie
3. Mom
4. Jen
5. Lyndsay

THREE favorite colors:
1. Blue
2. Red
3. Brown (think, clothing)

TWO things you want to do before you die:
1. See my children grow up and achieve their dreams.
2. Grow old with my husband.

ONE thing you want to do tomorrow:
1. See someone find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis.

What Am I Doing Wrong?!?

Both my boys are very sick with colds right now (Joshua has a fever too so maybe his is the flu?) Joe is on Vancouver Island playing rugby and I am here with the kids. I'm trying not to be bitter about this but so far I am failing. :P

For 2 days now I have had 2 screaming children. Fortunately, they don't often cry at the same time ... they each stop crying when I am cuddling them. Unfortunately, I cannot cuddle both at the same time so more often than not there has been at least one screaming and crying child in my house. I am exhausted and don't know what to do about them.

This is not entirely a pity post, ... I also need advice. Many of you have more than one child ... what do I do to stop the crying?!?


Here is a very rare happy shot. The boys are on the bed with Grandpa Rick, watching cartoons. Joshua calls that brown chair thing 'Joshua's seat' while James gets the Bumbo borrowed from Owen. :)

Hooray

For the first time since I fractured them, my ribs feel better today than they did yesterday. Hooray! I'm on the mend! :)

Thank You

Thank you for being you.

I Apologize ...

I Apologize ...
For all the mean things I might have said.

I Apologize ...
For all the things I did or didn't do.

I Apologize ...
If I ever ignored you.

I Apologize ...
If I ever made you feel bad or put you down.

I Apologize ...
If I ever thought I was better than you.

I Apologize ...
For everything wrong I've ever done.

I Care for You ... Don't ever forget that!

Through good times and bad,
I'll always be here for you.

I'm telling you this now because ...
What if tomorrow ...

YOU WIN THE LOTTERY?!?

Peyton Manning on SNL

I missed Saturday Night Live this weekend (it's just too late for me to stay up) but Joe was watching one of his many sports shows on Sunday and they showed a clip from the night before. Peyton Manning, the Colts QB who just won the Superbowl, hosted SNL and apparently he was hilarious. Here's a clip from a United Way spoof. I've seen it 4 times and every time I laugh out loud. Enjoy.

http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/#mea=84993

*contented sigh*

My children are with my inlaws for the day and I am back on tylenol 3's and relaxing with the newest Joy Fielding book and many trashy celebrity magazines. Life is good. :)

"Don't be a Hero" *L*

I've resisted the T-3's for over a week and just lived with the pain of my fractured ribs because I thought it was better for James. Now, the fourth doctor I've seen in 8 days has told me that if I don't take the Tylenol 3s I won't get better. Apparently my breathing is too shallow because of the pain and so the ribs aren't healing and I'm risking a collapsed lung and pneumonia. I'm glad we live in Canada where my wimpyness allows me to exploit the medical system and go to 4 different doctors a total of 5 times last week (both for my ribs and my concussion). :P

I was even told by one doctor, "don't be a hero, take the medication". *L* If you know me, you know I am far from being any kind of hero ... I'm a complainer, not a hero! ;)

Uh oh ...

Does anyone know how to tape up injured ribs? Apparently they don't do this anymore because it allows the injured person to return to somewhat normal activities sooner than they should but I don't have the time to heal. I need to be better now. I am taking care of my boys and have injured my ribs even more in the process (I didn't think they could hurt more than they did but I was wrong!) If you have any sports medicine knowledge to share, please let me know! Otherwise, I might drive out to Joe's Rugby game tomorrow afternoon so the trainer can tape them for me ...

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Milady the Right Reverend Stacey the Waspish of Giggleswick under Table Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

My Fortune

My Fortune Cookie told me: I sense a complete and utter vaccuum in the space between your auricles. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

Is this a slam?!?

Around the World (in less than 4 minutes)

Matt is a guy who has travelled around the world, dancing. You'll see what I mean! ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNF_P281Uu4

Indignation on Display

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pATjJVdalZc -- I'm not sure how to post the video, just the link ...

This is a link to the youtube video for the incident between the Vancouver Police Department and the off-duty Vancouver Firefighter on St. Patrick's Day. I watched the video and read the comments posted by people and it made me sad and a little indignant. The firefighters are being ridiculed for not stepping in to help the police officers and the VPD is being charged with excessive use of force for using a baton. I, personally, don't see anything wrong with how the situation was handled, except that maybe the firefighters got a little too close to the altercation and the off-duty firefighter should have known better than to resist arrest. I obviously don't know the whole story and I could very well be wrong but this is how I see it ...

Joe's Dad stopped over today and mentioned that the firefighter being taken into custody was actually a third level black belt. The officer in the background of the video seems to be losing control of the situation and motions for the officer with the baton to step in. He had already been overtaken by the suspect before the second officer ever made contact with the suspect's back ... not his head!! I speculate that the firefighters didn't step in because they might have (A) be mistook for helping their fellow firefighter instead of the police and (B) not been covered by WCB if they were injured in the altercation.

I needed to rant here after reading all of the negative comments posted on youtube about this incident. :P

I respect and appreciate both firefighters and police officers and am glad they do their job everyday so that I can feel safer in my community. I went to school with many current and future police officers and my step-dad, uncle and father-in-law are Firefighters. In fact, Joe is currently in the process of applying to be an auxilliary Firefighter in Abbotsford (he eventually wants to do it full-time).

Thanks for reading my rant. *L* That's how I see it ... how about you?

Car For Sale

Automobile for Sale

1985 Blue Volkswagen

Only 50 miles.
Only first gear and reverse ever used.

Never driven hard.
Original tires.
Original brakes.
Original fuel and oil.

Only 1 driver.
Owner wishing to sell due to employment lay-off.

A HUGE thank you!

As I've said before, life has been hectic lately. I need to say a huge thank you to my Aunt Jacki who watched both boys yesterday so I could see the doctor again about my ribs and get some stronger painkillers (then come home and put them to work as I helped Joe construct a new wall for James' bedroom). Aunt Jacki had the boys for over 4 hours on her one day off from the daycare she runs out of her home. She is amazing!

Also, thank you to my Gramma who took the boys in the evening and had them for 5 hours as they napped and ate dinner. Gramma is over 80 years old and there is nothing she wouldn't do for my children. Thank you so much, Gramma!

After all my whining yesterday, it all worked out! :)

THANK YOU!!

Luck of the Irish

Happy St Patrick's Day!

I'm 1/2 Irish. (My Dad is whole Irish). :P

My sister Cindy says that everyone is Irish on St Patrick's Day. :)

Today I fell down the cement stairs in our carport. I was carrying Joshua but I guess I broke his fall because he is okay (thank goodness!). I, on the other hand, have a bruised elbow and back, at least one cracked rib and perhaps a concussion, they won't know for sure until the pain medication kicks in and the rib pain subsides. Tomorrow I was supposed to be taking the kids out of the house all day so that Joe could build a wall and make a third bedroom (for James). Now I will spend the day in bed and I do not know where the boys will go. My parents are away, Joe's Mom is at a horse show and his Dad will be here, helping Joe with the construction.

I thought being Irish was supposed to be lucky?!? *L*

They were both healthy for about a minute

I told several people when they asked last week that my family is doing great because, for once, both boys were healthy AT THE SAME TIME! :)

That lasted for about a minute. *L*

Joshua has had another stomach virus for 4 days and doesn't seem to be getting any better. This one isn't as bad as the last one, though. It is the season for these things to go around, I guess.

In better news, I LOVE tax season! (Obviously I am not an accountant). :P

... I am just the recipient (through Joe) -- thanks to tuition credits and a few dependants -- of a healthy refund. YAY!! Let's go shopping!

Arghh!

What a horrible day!! Joe and I are still exhausted from a very busy weekend and this evening we noticed that a pipe had burst in the bathroom wall, behind the tub. It happened yesterday but we thought it was just overspray from the shower at the time. Now, we had to rip out the laminate in the office, closet and hallway to get the huge puddles to dry up ... we're desperately hoping we can salvage most of the laminate (some is already ruined). What a nightmare! I need some sleep. :(

New Clothes

Amy and Muryn helped me to pick out some new clothes in Bellingham last weekend. YAY!! I had started to abandon the maternity clothes as I found a few new pieces that worked but now I can abandon them altogether!! :)

I bought new jeans and a few new shirts and even a new pair of shoes (they are horribly uncomfortable but look nice with the jeans *L*).

Thanks girls, for all your help! I had a great time!

Rate Your Doctor

I just heard about this site where you can rate your doctor and read other people's opinions of Canadian MDs. I've already left my own comments for Dr Heffner, Dr Chow, and Dr Kornelson. What a great idea this is! I used a similar site when choosing my professors all through University.

http://www.ratemds.com/canada/

A Mini Van? SERIOUSLY?!?

We are officially buying a "family" mini van. :P

We put an offer on this used Plymouth Voyager and will own it tomorrow, subject to it passing a BCAA inspection. I am almost the owner of a mini van ... *shudder*

Could I be any more of a MOM?!?

One Reason I'm a Vegetarian ...

Not looking forward to the upcoming days of fasting?!? Here is one reason to be happy we won't be eating meat ... I found this recipe while searching for dinner ideas ...

Slow Cooker Squirrel and Liver

"Winter in Mississippi means wild game and slow cooking! Try this delicious variation on squirrel. The beef liver brings out the amazing natural flavor of the squirrel, while repressing the 'gamey' taste. Serve with malt liquor."

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 squirrels - skinned, gutted, and cut into pieces
2 pounds beef liver, sliced into thin strips
2 large sweet onions, chopped
4 carrots, sliced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced into strips
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups tomato juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon crushed dried thyme
1 bay leaf

DIRECTIONS
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the squirrel and liver until browned on the outside. Transfer to a slow cooker. Add the onions, carrots, bell pepper and garlic. Stir in the tomato juice. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, thyme and bay leaf. Cover, and cook on High for 6 hours.

It definitely makes me hungry, how about you? ;)

Help!

Help! The new blogger won't allow me to show my blogs on the main page ... (ie// the first one that comes up where the different blogs are displayed). I've gone into edit profile and attempted to add the blogs but it won't let me ... what do I do?

Hillbilly Love

I received this as an email from my Aunt Jacki and thought it was kind of cute. ;)

Hillbilly Love

SUSIE LEE DON FELL IN LOVE;
SHE PLANNED TO MARRY JOE.

SHE WAS SO HAPPY 'BOUT IT ALL,
SHE TOLD HER PAPPY SO.

PAPPY TOLD HER, SUSIE GAL,
YOU'LL HAVE TO FIND ANOTHER.

I'D JUST AS SOON YO' MA DON'T KNOW,
BUT JOE IS YO' HALF BROTHER.

SO SUSIE PUT ASIDE HER JOE
AND PLANNED TO MARRY WILL,

BUT AFTER TELLING PAPPY THIS,
HE SAID, THERE'S TROUBLE STILL.

YOU CAN'T MARRY WILL, MY GAL,
AND PLEASE DON'T TELL YO' MOTHER,

BUT WILL AND JOE, AND SEVERAL MO'
I KNOW IS YO' HALF BROTHER.

BUT MAMA KNEW AND SAID, MY CHILD,
JUST DO WHAT MAKES YO' HAPPY

MARRY WILL OR MARRY JOE.
YOU AIN'T NO KIN TO PAPPY.

I Miss My Baby

As I posted before, Joshua has been extremely sick this week. He even ended up in the hospital overnight on Friday night. That was NOT fun! It's impossible to keep a 1 year old contained in his 1/4 of a hospital room, attached to an IV pole and keep him quiet at the same time!!

While I've been taking care of Joshua this week (a more than full-time job) Joe's parents have been watching James. They've had him every day since Tuesday and even kept him Wednesday, Friday and Saturday overnight. I really appreciate all their help this week but I miss my baby! I have managed to see him everyday for brief periods of time and Joe and I got to 'babysit' James at their house last night while they went out for dinner but, still, I almost feel like he's not even mine anymore ...

He has changed so much in the past week!!

Mom and Dad will be bringing him home in a few hours. (Dad says sometime around 9pm because he's become so attached to James that he doesn't want to bring him back yet.) :P Apparently Dad holds James almost constantly each time he's there. It is very nice to know that they have been taking such good care of the baby!

So, I will say a great big THANK YOU to my in-laws for being so amazing this week but, if you read this, please bring him back soon! ;)

New Blogger

*GRRR* I just switched over to the new blogger (because I was forced to ... there's nothing quite like procrastination!) and not only did I have to change my sign-in name, email address and password but now I can't get my formats right. I like Joshua and James' template but mine is giving me a headache.

I'm 51% Stupid

Thanks for posting this on your blog, Jeannine! :)

Stupid Percentages

[x] I have walked into a glass/screen door.
[x] I have tripped on my shoelace and fallen.
[x] I have choked on my own spit
[ ] I've seen the Matrix a bunch of times and still don't get it.
[ ] I type only with my pointer fingers.
[x] I have caught something on fire
[ ] I've told a cop to get lost.
[x] I have attempted to sip out of a straw but it accidentally went into my nose, rather than my mouth.
[x] I have thought of something funny, and laughed out loud and people looked at me weird.
[x] I've caught myself drooling
[ ] I've "accidentally" caused an explosion
[ ] If someone says the word "toot", I can't help but laugh.
[x] I've accidentally been into a "Do Not Enter" one way road plenty of times.
[x] Sometimes I just...stop thinking and zone out.
[ ] It is POSSIBLE to lick your elbow.
[ ] I just tried to lick my elbow.
[ ] People often shake their heads and walk away from me.
[x] People often tell me to use my "inside voice"
[x] Gum has fallen out of my mouth while talking.
[x] I use my fingers to do simple math sometimes
[ ] I've jumped off a moving vehicle
[ ] I've eaten a bug for $5 or less
[x] I'm taking this test when I should be doing something more important.
[ ] I repost chain letters because I'm scared of what they threaten will happen if I don't.
[x] I've removed my pants when I was with friends.
[ ] I've ran around naked when I was with friends
[x] I've searched all over the place for something, and then realized it was in my hand the whole time.
[ ] I "accidentally break" a lot of things.
[ ] My friends know not to use big words on me.
[ ] I put my head to the side when I'm confused.
[x] Sometimes I start telling a story and suddenly forget what I'm talking about.
[x] I've fallen off of my chair before.
[ ] When I'm laying in bed, I sometimes stare at the ceiling and try to find pictures and words in the texture.

I tag you ... post in the comments your percentage!

Then copy and paste into your new post, take out my x's and put in your own. Add up your x's and multiply by 3 to get your "stupid percentage".

Sick Again

Joshua and I are sick again, this time with a stomach virus. The only good thing is that James has not gotten it and Joe, so far, only has a cold. Neither of us has been able to eat anything in more than 36 hours. We both saw the doctor this morning and he said that Joshua is dehydrated so if I can't get him to keep any liquids down by tonight we will have to take him to the hospital. I am trying REALLY hard to get him to sip Pedialyte every 20 minutes because I cannot spend one more night in the Pediatrics ward at MSA hospital - we had our fill of that last month with James!!

Finally, New Pictures ...

The first picture was from December, James was less than a month old.

The final three pictures were taken earlier this week (James at 2 months old).

New Photo

For those of you who have been asking for a new photo of James, here is one taken with Steph's cell phone about 2 weeks ago while we were waiting in the Emergency Room to be admitted to MSA Hospital. He has gained about 2 pounds since then but I haven't had a chance to upload any new photos. Mom took the boys to Walmart yesterday for photos and we'll have them back in 2 weeks so I'll definitely post new pictures then.

What a MOOSE!

James' official 2 month stats are in ... he was 15 lbs 5 oz and 25'' tall at 2 months of age. Joshua, our original moose, was only 13 lbs 13 oz and 24 1/4'' tall at 2 months old (and look at him now). James is so far off the charts that I'm a little worried ...

Updates

James got his 2 month immunizations today (2 in each leg) and weighed in at a whopping 15 lbs 5 oz ... more than a pound heavier than Joshua at this age!!

Joshua was awake 4 times during the night, wanting to cuddle with his Mommy. We figured he was coming down with something because he was very clingy and cuddly yesterday (thanks for holding his all through church, Myn). It was a VERY exhausting night, up with Joshua 4 times and James twice. My wonderful husband got up early for work and fed James for his 6am feeding, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU honey! I desperately needed the sleep!!

James has always been a very gaseous little boy (:P) but today he won't stop crying and his belly is so hard ... I don't know what to do ... we never had this problem with Joshua. He is spitting up everything I try to feed him and is just crying and crying ... help! (The doctor just called me back and suggested Ovol but even that is not working.) :(

Any suggestions?!?

Great News!

One of my best and oldest friends just told me some amazing news! (We've been friends for about 17 years ... since she and Steph were in the same grade 2 class together.)

She sent me the above picture on MSN Messenger and then told me their third baby is due in September!! :)

Congratulations Mike, Lyndsay, Bayleigh and Carter!! We can't wait to meet the new baby!

Just Call Him, 'The Nebulizer'

As many of you know, James was admitted to the hospital last Friday morning because of his RSV (a common respiratory virus) and bronchiolitis which caused him to suffer from some fairly severe dehydration. He was having a lot of trouble breathing and coughed almost constantly.

The pediatrician put him on oral steroids and ventolin (through a mask) for his lungs. RSV, when contracted by babies less than 3 months old, causes their bronchioles and alveoli (lungs) to swell, thus preventing them from breathing. The ventolin is a bronchodilator which means it expands the airways for a short period of time (usually about 4 hours), allowing the baby to breathe. While the medication did not help him to get better, it did help him to breathe so he was able to eat and get re-hydrated. So after 3 long days and 2 even longer nights we were allowed to take him back home on Sunday.

I stayed with James the first night (Friday night) but there were 2 other babies in the room who took turns screaming all night long. Joe was really sweet and offered to stay the second night so I could get some sleep and I quickly took him up on his offer (even though I felt guilty for leaving the baby)! The RSV virus is extremely contagious so we were all put in isolation which meant the babies could not leave the room nor get within a metre of eachother and us parents were supposed to put on gowns, masks, and rubber gloves every time we left the room. All visitors, doctors, and nurses also had to wear protective gowns, gloves and masks whenever they entered the room ... nothing like making us feel like we had the plague! :P

We came home Sunday afternoon with a prescription for Ventolin and a rented nebulizer. (It gives the medication in a vapour form which is more effective than a regular 'puffer' chamber). By Tuesday morning, though, James had started experiencing apnic episodes where he would briefly stop breathing (for maybe 10 seconds at a time) and then start again on his own. I was worried but sleep apnea is a complication of RSV so I figured we would be okay. I held him most of that morning so that I could keep an eye on him but then needed a shower so put him into his swing, hoping that if he did stop breathing the rocking motion might remind him to inhale.

Well, I emerged from the shower about 15 minutes later to find my little baby in the swing - limp, not breathing, and blue around the lips. I freaked out!! I immediately picked him up and shook him and then called our family doctor, crying. He advised to me call the ambulance and so there we were on our way back to the hospital for the second time in one week. We had to wait in Emergency for over 5 hours before they finally admitted James and moved us up to Pediatrics for yet another stay in isolation. We were in a different room, again with 2 babies, but they just happened to be 2 families we had stayed with last time. One was still in there and the other had been discharged Monday and was back on Tuesday, just like us. Apparently RSV can get better and then worsen again many times in the 6 weeks it usually takes to go away in small infants. We stayed another 2 long nights (this time Joe was at work so I had to stay both nights) and now we are home, extremely exhausted yet feeling lucky to be out of that room!! James' pediatrician has advised me to watch him closely for the next several days for apnic episodes. I am not sure why we were released from the hospital already when James has suffered from 10 episodes in the past 36 hours, the most recent being 2 of them overnight last night but here we are at home.

I am ready to stare at his chest for the next week, if I have to, to make sure he's going to be okay ...

James' First Visit to the Emergency Room

Steph and I had to take James to the emergency room today while Mom and Rick watched Joshua. The baby was coughing and having trouble breathing and then he lost his voice. It was so cute to see him crying but not hear any noise. Cute but also a little scary!

The doctors were so nice. They gave him some steroids through a mask and then took a chest x-ray and tested him for the RSV virus. The x-rays were good but he tested positive for RSV (a completely normal virus that is only especially harmful in small infants). So he is now on a baby inhaler and we have to watch him for the next 10-12 days in case it gets worse.

Joshua has a doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon as he has been very whiney and clingy lately, even waking up a few times a night. It's probably just anothe ear infection resulting from his cold, though. So he should be better in a little while.

I will hopefully be getting my normal nights back soon enough (where I only have to wake up twice with the baby, not with Joshua as well!!) Life sure is more hectic with 2 than 1!!

James Comes to Church

Today was James' welcome to the church (after a 40 day rest for both me and the baby). The ceremony is called being 'churched' where he was officially welcomed in with prayers for him as well as myself. I have several photos of the ceremony thanks to Amy Lanteigne. :)

Life Expectancy Calculator

Joe found this site on the internet and it's kind of cool. You input all the information and it gives you an estimate on how long you will live. Mine said 89.96 years while Joe's was 85.6. Joshua got about 62 years and James' was 56 ... I think the program thought my babies were "little people", thus shortening their life spans?!? :P

http://gosset.wharton.upenn.edu/mortality/perl/CalcForm.html

Joe's first attempt said he would only live to be just over 28 (another 13 months) but he went back and realized he'd accidentally input that he had Aids and was not receiving any treatment for it ... OOPS! ;)