Friday, April 17, 2015

What Can I Do to Help?

It was 6:45 pm, we had just returned home from a busy afternoon of swimming lessons and grocery shopping, everyone was starving, and Shane was working late. Exhausted from lugging the groceries plus the baby and the toddler up the three flights of stairs, I hurried to serve the supper that had been cooking in the crockpot all day. I reached into the drawer to grab a serving spoon and sliced my finger on something sharp.
 "Sh**!!!" I cried as I grabbed a paper towel to stop the bleeding. The kids all ran over to see what had happened as I examined my finger. It wasn't anything serious but it sure was bleeding a lot and I had to keep pressure on it.
 " How am I supposed to get you guys supper and feed Gus??!?! Why isn't Daddy home??!?!" I wailed. (It wasn't my finest moment, I admit). And that's when I heard my seven year old sigh and say, "What can I do to help?"
 I looked at her in shock and awe. Suddenly everything seemed a little less daunting. I instructed her as she served out the spaghetti and then my five year old carried it to the table. She offered to put the baby in his high chair but since it is as tall as she is and he is almost as heavy as she is I opted to avoid that disaster and awkwardly swung him up with one hand and then watched as my big girls fed him, ate their own food without prompting, and then worked together to load the dishwasher and wash the dishes.
 As I tucked them into bed that evening still nursing my silly finger, I whispered, "I don't know what I'd do without you sweet girls."

Every time I set foot in the grocery store some kind soul is sure to remind me of how full my hands are! And while many times they truly are, sometimes these children are my hands, and I couldn't be more grateful. To all you moms out there of just littles, hang in there! Just wait until your oldest ones are old enough to actually help - what a difference it will make!

Friday, April 10, 2015

7 Quick Takes

1. I was looking through my blog yesterday and I loved reading all about what the kids did at certain ages! Since I am a horrible mom this is the only sort of baby book I have kept, so when there is a huge gap like there has been recently, I feel like so many memories are lost!

2.
 
 
Gus is 11 months old and the cutest stinker ever. He is so different from William, who was laid back and took forever to do new things (at least as a baby...). He is a climber, and his latest feat is climbing on to the couch. Oh so annoying! But apparently so. Much. Fun.:

 So satisfied with himself.

 
He also says some words.... or at least repeats them. About a year ahead of his brother on that one... He says "Up", "uh oh", "mama" and "Dada".
 
3. Ok enough with the bragging about my baby. I must have something else to say!
Oh! Here's some more interesting news: we bought a house! Or at least, made an offer and it was accepted! So assuming everything else goes through as expected, we will be home owners finally! At the ripe old age of 30.
 
4. Its actually only half a house. But my sister and brother in law bought the other half of the duplex! It has a gorgeous pool, and is on the canal so a boat purchase must follow soon! I'm excited, but it kind of seems surreal because it happened so fast, and I only looked at the house once so I am hoping I actually do like it....
 
5. Lent was long, as the kids gave up sweets AND TV, which let's face it, was more a penance for me. You better believe they've been getting their screen time this week!
 
6. Kelly asked for Easter pictures so I dare not disappoint...
When I look at this picture I can scarce believe how blessed I am. Can all those beautiful children be mine??!
 Easter was lovely, although I only made it to Good Friday service, and then Easter Sunday Mass. Shane and the girls went to Holy Thursday Mass, and then we decided NOT to attempt the vigil with the boys in order to keep our sanity intact. But Maria had her little heart set on going. She walked around muttering to herself, "I wish I could go to the vigil!" So when she suggested just her and daddy go, the kind man hadn't it in his heart to tell her no, so away they went! She loved all three hours of it. Then on Sunday we had an indoor hunt, then went to Mass, had brunch with my sister and her family, went for a swim, then had supper at my in laws. Lovely, lovely, lovely!
 
7. All the birthdays in our family fall between Feb and July, so we are in the heart of birthday season:) This weekend should be a good one, filled with rugby watching and birthday celebrating! Ok the rugby may not be my favourite but my husband, the birthday boy, sure is!
 
Have a good one! But first, swing on by Kelly's, say a prayer for her son, and then check out what other folks are up to!
 
And from our lovely family to yours, Happy Easter!

Thursday, April 9, 2015

William, Age 3

For his whole life, I have been trying to savour this wonderful child because I thought, surely a bad stage must be around the corner. But for three years, he has pretty much been an awesome kid. Except for maybe two weeks when he went around hitting people. But that was it!

I can't believe he's 3!

 
He is an amazing big brother. So gentle, patient, and fun!



He is a great little brother, although maybe he does ruin the girls legos or barbies every now and then..



He is so much fun to be around! So talkative and entertaining. I love hanging out with him.


Some other things I want to remember about this kid right now:

Whenever you are only half listening, and he asks a question and you kind of just say mmhmm, he will always clarify with "yes or no?" Like, "Mommy I can have this candy?" Me: "mmhmm". Will: "Yes or no?" Me: "Oh what? No!" What a good kid.

Me: "I love you"
William: "I DON'T love.... tigers!"

He used to call Maria "Ella" and Felicity "Mae-Mae" (have no idea how he got those names...) Now he can pronounce their real names, but when he's talking about them together, he still says, "Ella-Mae-Mae".

Everything is always, "Just ONE more!" (holding his finger up)

He is obsessed with his ABCs and counting everything.

He does not sit still for long. "Watch me run SUPER fast!"

Whenever he gets in trouble (which is not that often) the worst part of it for him is that we are not happy with him. So as soon as it is resolved he is quick to ask "Mommy are you happy with me?" Or if I'm getting mad at one of the girls he will always come and check "You not happy with Ella-Mae-Mae? But you happy with me?"

When asked what he wants to be when he grows up: "Superman!"

Basically, he's my favourite person ever. Besides my other three children of course.....