10 on Tuesday

1. Don't you find that there is a very fine line between staying inside and having cabin fever or going out in the blistering cold to battle the traffic and the horrible roads? Despite the wretched weather, I have ventured out every day.....I must be crazy.

2. I am officially like a standard shipping date.....6-8 weeks for delivery!!

3. I, and I have come to find out that a few other people, think that I will deliver early. I kinda' hope so. The anticipation is killing me. I still think it's a boy. "He" sure kicks like a future soccer player!

4. My handy husband is madly trying to get the basement developed. Especially the spare bedroom. He is a machine. And lets be honest, he loves to be busy with a project involving manual labor.

5. I am having anxiety about the fact the baby room is not done. I have no diapers. No sheets. No crib mattress. No clean receiving blankets and sleepers. I don't even have a little bag packed for the hospital! I'm pretty sure I was done all of the above long before Hayden arrived. Now that I am not working, I need to get my arse in gear! It's not like me to be so far behind and so ill-prepared. I think I'm starting to break out in hives as I type this.

6. I have moved yet another pair of ill-fitting pants to the back of the closet. The wardrobe is rapidly dwindling. There are very few shirts left that don't show off my belly.

7. I love getting mail this time of year. I love seeing everyone's family pictures, and reading their annual letters. For next year, I need to figure out a crafty and effective way to display all of the beautiful cards and photos......

8. I have decided that I should set up a booth at the mall next year to gift wrap other people's presents. I'll totally donate the proceeds, I just want to wrap, man! I didn't help as many people as I wanted to this year.....sigh.

9. Everyone has permission to eat an extra helping of turkey and stuffing for me. I won't be having turkey this year, but I'm sure going to miss it! Oh, what the hell......have a piece of pumpkin pie and a rum and egg nog for me too!!

10. MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE! I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends, and that 2009 brings every happiness to you and yours! XO

Hayden & Gia

"I just love him" or "I just love it"
are two of Hayden's favorite phrases.
They can apply to almost anything.

Stickers, cars, cookies or toys.

Or cats.
He's really loving Miss Gia.

I hope he doesn't ask to carry the new baby this way!

I just couldn't wait to show these off......

The amazing Blakeney's were at it again...and they NEVER cease to amaze me!!

Hayden looks like he came right out of a Gap ad!!
And where did my baby go? He looks like such a little man.
Zoolander, eat your heart out....my kid can pose!!

Hayden lifts my shirt up all the time, kisses my belly,
and says "there's a baby in there!"
What a good big brother.

Don't worry Grandparents......Santa may arrange a

special picture delivery for you....
if you're good!!

10 on Tuesday

1. Mom and Dad were here last week for 4 days. It's always nice to have them here, but the visit always seems too short. They have to be in Saskatoon for Christmas with my Grandma because she isn't able to travel. I will miss them over the holidays, but we need to take turns with both families, right?! I have always wished that we could have a really big Christmas with everyone together, but that's a hard thing to accomplish.

2. We went to Zoolights on Thursday night..... and it's a good thing we did 'cause it sure got cold on Friday!! It was a really nice night. Did I forget the camera....of course I did. I didn't take one photo the whole time Mom and Dad were here. I've turned into a camera snob and I would rather not use my point and shoot when I should be using my Nikon.

3. Christmas baking? I think I should just skip it. If I bake it, I will eat it. Well, maybe just some Ginger Sparkles....and some shortbread.....

4. Hayden sings his very own renditions of "Frosty the Snowman" and "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." Classics in the making.

5. I had my annual Christmas get-to-gether with some old friends I worked with in cosmetics at Sears. We had a fabulous time and talked the night away, as always. We all left wondering; how is it possible that we only manage to do this once a year?! It needs to be a semi-annual event at the very least.

6. Love the new kitty. I love her energy, her playfulness, and the fact she loves to snuggle. I HATE the fact she is having potty issues and is peeing in the corner of our living room. Grrrrrr, Miss Gia, grrrrrr.

7. I'm almost done the Christmas shopping. My husband is the last one on my list this year. Which is so unusual because I'm usually done for him first!

8. Anyone else in need of my wrapping services?? I'm offering to be your personal elf. I'm free most evenings and there are many spots still available. Please. I'm all out of my own wrapping. I fear I may start wrapping empty boxes.

9. I put the jersey cotton sheets on the bed last night. Oohhhhh, so cozy!

10. I may be done work as early as Saturday. I have to take medical leave before my maternity leave starts. The baby and I are fine, but I am supposed to stay off my feet as much as I can. Tell me how that's possible when I have a very busy 2 1/2 year old at home?? Lots of television, I think.

31 on Tuesday....for Zeus

Slaap lekker, Zeusje

May 22, 2000 - December 6, 2008

Zeus was such a big presence in our lives.

The house seems so quiet without him.

I believe he is in a better place.
Where he doesn't have to take medication.
Where he can run for hours and never get tired.
Where he is happy and comfortable
and has all the big sticks he can find.....

He and Ralph will meet again.
They had a bond unlike anything I have seen.

that's weird....

Literally, from one day to the next,
my son has
metamorpasized.

From a crust-eater to a
non-crust eater.

Hmph.
That's super strange.
Maybe he's protesting because we ran out of
our special Saskatchewan honey.

Grandma and Grandpa will be here next week.
Maybe he'll revert back to being a
good little crust-eater?!

it's 10 on Tuesday time again......

1. I LOVE wrapping presents. I dislike cleaning up after wrapping presents. I need a craft room that I would never have to tidy. Just close the door behind me.....and lock it so the kids and pets can't get in!

2. We put our Christmas tree up and it looks beautiful. This is the first year I have had Christmas decorations throughout the house and I love it. The tree is upstairs and the stockings are by the fireplace on the main floor.....and just enough decorating in between. Ralph did an amazing job of the lights and decor outside too!


3. Gia has made herself at home. She's getting along very well with everyone. She hisses at Zeus when he bothers her, and it is so comical to see/hear that noise coming from a small & fuzzy 3 month old! I had also forgotten how much "fun" it is to have a very playful kitten around during the same season as a Christmas tree and ribbons. She dive bombs the tree and rolls around in the tree skirt. I don't think there will be any presents under the tree until Christmas Eve.

4. I think I have eaten my weight in Rice Krispie squares the last few weeks. Next is Christmas baking....uh-oh!

5. I am also indulging in my very favorite holiday beverage way too often. Egg Nog. Egg Nog Lattes from Starbucks are especially delicious. Sans rum.

6. I am so happy I decided to wash the SUV yesterday. It was beautiful outside. Now, look at it out there today?#@!

7. What an emotional roller coaster motherhood is. I can count equally how many times Hayden frustrates me in a day to how many times he is so sweet I get teary eyed.

8. Am I the only idiot who forgot to order my I Love Life magnets from Kal on Monday morning?! By the time I remembered, all of the ones I wanted were gone!! Serves me right for not WRITING IT ON MY TO DO LIST!!

9. Neither Hayden nor I will be doing any seminars on potty training 101. We have gone through 5 sets of clothes/underwear and 1 set of sheets today already (it's 4 PM.) He gets so upset if he has an accident, and I try to be calm though I get frustrated too. I know it won't happen overnight but I hope he "gets it" soon.

10. Next item on the list......get my Christmas cards done! Maybe I'll skip yoga tonight so I can stay in my comfies, hang out with my boys, watch Fringe (!!) and write my cards. The only thing that would make that sentence complete would be....and have an egg nog!

5 on Friday!

Tuesday came way to quickly, especially when I had already done 5 on Friday for last week.....I think I'll carry on with Fridays for awhile.

1. The big news of the week is the new kitty! She is pretty sweet, and VERY full of energy! As I type this, she is hawk-eying the fishies.....

2. I had a great visit last night with an old (we met in University..... like 1993??) girlfriend of mine. She lives in Saskatoon so we don't see each other as often as we would like. We can pick up right where we left off, and I love that about our relationship. Regardless of space and time, she'll be a friend for life.

3. It seems that everything we have ever said to Hayden is coming back to haunt us. The other day he said to me "mommy, hold my hand. it's too bad. there are cars coming." My other un-related favorites; "this sure is yummy," "I just love it," and when he goes to bed at night he says "ah, my cozy little bed."

4. Why can't kids come potty trained?? Hayden's just not making the connection. Bribery with cars isn't even working. I feel like I'm destined to do diapers FOREVER!!

5. We are putting up the Christmas tree this weekend......YAY!! I love getting out all of the pretty decorations and gak. I've made poor Ralph climb to the highest reaches of the house to put up Christmas lights too. "Fa-la-la-la-la.........."

Introducing....

Miss Gia!

These photos really don't do her justice.
She is SO cute.
And fuzzy and feisty.

But kittens don't really sit well for portraits.

She sure likes to play
but she also likes a good snuggle.

We introduced her to the rest of the clan

last night.
I was stressed out.

Zeus is fine with her, he just wants to play.
His only downfall is that he doesn't realize
how big he is.
Or how small Gia is.

Bella was a b***h.
As expected.

I think it will take awhile before they are buddies.

Gettin' in the Spirit.....

This year's company Christmas Party for the kids

was a success!

Hayden picked out a new sweater for the event.

We decorated gingerbread cookies.
And ate LOTS of delicious Smartie buttons!

Ralph tried to get Hayden to go into the
blow-up play center.
"I just want to watch," was his response.
(It was a bit rambunctious for Mommy's liking too!)

Hayden had the cutest little heart-to-heart

with 'Thing 1"(from Dr. Seuss.)
They just lay down on the floor, in the middle
of the mayhem, and had a chat.

It took some coaxing, but we got Hayden

to sit on Santa's lap all by himself!

Here's hoping the professional picture
they took captured a smile!

He didn't cry.
He just kept staring at him.

We were so proud!

He even visited with Santa & Mrs. Clause
afterwards.

The reward was worth it.....a present!
He got a bright yellow dump truck
and construction helmet.
Just what he wanted!

Hayden fell asleep on the way home.....
that's a lot of excitement for one day!

Special Days

I have been feeling very emotional lately.
This is the end of my time with just me and Hayden.
I wanted to capture some moments of
me and my little boy.

Big Picture
gets ALL the credit for these wonderful photos.

5 on Friday!

Not sure what happened to Tuesday this week......it's Friday already!

1. We are on day 4 with NO NAP. Hayden is doing great. Mommy is exhausted. Hayden wasn't going to sleep until 10 o'clock with a 2 hour nap, but is now sound asleep at 8 o'clock with no nap. I feel horrible for saying I miss those 2 hours to myself. Now I need to come up with a lot more fun activities to keep Hayden occupied!!

2. I had to resort to wearing my husband's Winter coat yesterday. I look like nobody owns me.

3. On that note, what the heck am I going to wear to Ralph's Christmas party? I have to try and find something a little festive and flattering and.....dare I say.....sexy. Oh, the anxiety.

4. On Sunday, Hayden gets to go and meet Santa Claus. (It's Ralph's company kiddie Christmas party.) I'm really hoping that he warms up to him more this year. We've been trying to talk it up so that he's excited to tell Santa what he wants for Christmas. Last year, I had to sit on Santa's lap with Hayden. I don't think Santa will like that option this year.

5. Anyone have any cute/original names for a fuzzy little multi-colored girl kitty??

My dog thinks I'm fat.....

Apparently, Zeus feels that I should lay off
the pastries for the remainder
of my pregnancy.

There were 18 freshly baked, and iced, cupcakes
on the counter.
Hayden and I were going to decorate them.

Zeus had other plans.
He ate 12.

I'm definitely adding this incident to the list of
grievances I have with the dog.
But, maybe I should be thanking him.......
I probably would have eaten way too many anyways.

10 on Tuesday

1. I started Pre-natal yoga last Tuesday, and it was awesome! Our instructor was very interested in our aches and pains and helped us with our individual areas of concern. Some of the positions were a bit awkward, but I didn't embarrass myself, so was okay. It was pretty cool to be in a room full of other pregnant women, who are all different shapes and sizes. I came home, had a bath, and had the best night sleep! I didn't even wake up to pee!! I am REALLY looking forward to my Tuesday nights from now on.

2. Why, why, why is it so hard to find art?! Ralph and I have been looking and can't find what we are after. Any suggestions?

3. My sister and her boyfriend had a 3 1/2 hour layover in Calgary on their way home to Saskatoon from Vegas. I went to the airport for a little visit. Short but sweet. I almost fainted when I saw the total for parking was $29!! (My fault for parking in short-term) What's worse? It was at that moment I realized I didn't have my wallet!! Uh-oh, where is it?? How am I gonna get out of the parkade?? Thank goodness for cell phones. I had to phone Ralph for our Mastercard number so that I could bail myself out.

4. Pregnancy brain is a reality. I should wear my Pregnesia shirt daily.

5. I need Ralph to paint my toenails 'cause I can't bend properly, or comfortably enough, to do it myself. I asked him once. Still waiting.....

6. I committed another pregnancy faux-pas. I dyed my hair. I couldn't handle those little grays any longer.

7. Isn't it funny that kids can drive you absolutely bonkers one moment, and in the next breath, they say something so sweet that you feel crazy for thinking they were anything short of perfect?! That has happened a lot this week.

8. Hayden and I finally got library cards. Only $12. Since I have been zipping through books lately, and Hayden loves to read, I think this will fun for both of us....especially in the Winter months. One thing is for sure, the library has changed a lot since I was there last....which was probably University?@#! They have lots of activities for the kids, and you can sign out tons of books at one time. And the best part, you get to keep your selections for a whole month!!

9. I need to get the winter tires put on the Tribute before it snows. I have been saying this for 2 weeks now.....

10. We may be taking Hayden to see his first in theater movie today. Madagascar 2. Mommy gets popcorn for lunch, yum. Wish us luck!!

10 on Tuesday

1. Halloween is evil. Well.....just the candy. Poor Hayden has no idea how much of his hard-earned stash I have eaten. Between this and Mexico, uh-oh!

2. For some reason, I continue to let it bother me. I really try not to.....but it's hard. I really wish people would stop commenting on how BIG I am. What ever happened to being like Bambi? If you can't say something nice, keep your mouth shut!!

3. My unborn child is currently performing Riverdance in utero.

4. Why does every blueberry muffin I ever make turn out to be a weird blue/grey color. They taste delicious but they look sick. Don't say "coat the blueberries in flour," cause I've tried that.

5. I start my pre-natal yoga class tonight. I'm super excited....but always a bit nervous that I will do something to look like an ass in front of strangers. I somehow missed the 'chip' in my personality for 'not caring what other people think of me.'

6. I am trying to enjoy my pictures of Mexico as I scrapbook them. I am trying not to be bitter about the pictures that aren't there. I still have all of the memories......

7. There is nothing better than doing something simple for your child and because it makes him SO happy, the result is you getting teary-eyed.

8. My tan is fading and that makes me very sad. I do enjoy the peeling skin. I'm being serious.

9. Daylight savings time sucks when you have kids. I was so excited because Hayden was finally sleeping later, I think because it's darker in the morning, and getting up at 7:30/8:00. That has now turned into 6:30/7:00. Maybe he just needs a few more days to adjust.....

10. My husband cleaned the outside of our windows just in the nick of time. Better him on the ladder than me! Guess I should pull up my socks and clean the inside of the windows today........ while hoping that I don't see any snow flakes through those freshly cleaned windows!!

Belly Pics!!

I had the pleasure of spending the evening
with 2 brilliant photographers.
And friends.
That's right.....Nick & Keri Blakeney.
Big Picture Photography.

It was too hard to pick favorites.
So here they are......

They made me feel like a million dollars.
A supermodel mommy-to-be.

They are amazingly talented.
I'm forever grateful.

Thomas & Friends......Live!

My boss phoned me last night, and wondered if we
would like 3 free tickets to see
Thomas and Friends Live!
Easy answer considering how much Hayden
loves trains!!

How thoughtful.
(She doesn't read this blog so it's NOT brown-nosing!)

Hayden was so excited!!
He could hardly contain himself when he saw Thomas
for the first time.

He kept asking "who's next?"
I think he thought the whole gang would be there.

Hayden missed seeing James,
but we did see Thomas, Percy and Diesel.

It was an interactive show,
and Hayden loved being a very loud whistle.
He was continually yelling, "peep peep!!"
Sometimes on cue......sometimes not.
Either way, he had a ton of fun.

And we couldn't help but smile
because he was having such a great time.

"Trick or Treat!"

Happy Halloween 2008!

Hayden has been very excited about his
Halloween costume this year.
He would proudly announce to anyone who asked.....
"I'm gonna be a train-ductor!"

He made sure to thoroughly test out the whistle before
we went out trick-or-treating!

This is how Mommy was dressed.
(I did put on a googly-pumpkin headband....)

This is how Daddy was dressed.....

Initially, Hayden wasn't fond of Ralph
wearing this get-up.
Eventually though, he said to me,
"it's just a costume, Mommy."
Okay then.
I guess you're not scarred for life.

Hayden kept saying,
"I got lots of candy!"
"Get some more candy!"
Seriously.
He got hand fulls at some houses.


But, after an hour, he was tuckered out.
That's a lot of walking for little legs, and a workout
on the muscles to carry the loot!

I think he was the cutest train conductor.
And that sweet little face
will keep us in candy for weeks!
Damn.

8 Days in Mexico......on Tuesday!

October 19th-26th, 2008

Gran Bahia Principe, Tulum
Mexico

The main lobby of our resort

The main pool

Aaahhhhh......the beach!
We spent as much time here as possible,
though the weather wasn't perfect.
We had rain, at some time or another,
and in some quantity or another,
every day.
Still....30 degrees every day....can't complain!

We decided to make the best of our time and
plan some activities outside of the resort.
What fun would it be to just sit in the room?
We were in the Mayan Riviera for goodness sake.....how bad can it be?!


Day 2.
Aktun Chen
We saw some of the most amazing
underground caves and cenotes.
And lots of wild animals.

This little dude greeted us and
Hayden enjoyed feeding him bananas.

We were 15 feet underground looking up at the trees!!

We got some amazing pictures of the caves.
We had to trudge through water
because of all of the heavy rainfall, and poor Hayden
was up to his waist in some places!

You won't see those pictures, or any of the other
fabulous ones we had taken up to this point,
because we lost our camera.
* See Day 4. *

Day 4.
It started out like the rest.
Rainy.
We decided to go into Playa del Carmen for the morning.
We had a really nice morning, and when the sun came out after lunch,
we decided to go back and hit the beach.
I will go over the next hour in my head a million times.
Each time, I feel like throwing up.
Pure stupidity on our part.
Why we were so relaxed? I don't know.
Why wasn't I harping about the location of our belongings? I don't know.
Why didn't we double check our spot when getting off the bus??
We got off on the side of the highway.
We were so concerned about having a good hold on Hayden.
15 minutes later.....
I realized we didn't have the camera.
(Or the video camera that was in the same bag.)

Good luck trying to communicate the severity
of the situation to Mexican strangers.
Ralph and Eveline tried for hours to get it back.
Nothing.
Ralph offered a reward.
Nothing.

I don't even care about the camera.
It's the photos.
The beautiful family pictures we had taken at the beach.
Our amazing Mexican dinner.
The caves.
Hayden in the pool with his first pair of water wings.
Us building sandcastles.
Nauseating.

*~*~*The rest of our photos are courtesy of the Kodak Fun Saver*~*~*

Day 5.
The Mayan Ruins at Tulum.

It felt like about 800 degrees.
600% humidity.

The views were breathtaking.

And we were sweaty.

Hayden was on Iguana patrol the entire vacation.
We saw every shape, size and color.

Wouldn't want to meet this gang
in a dark forest!

Days 6, 7 and 8.
Soaking up the intermittent sun!

Ralph decided he wanted to be buried in the sand.
So, he dug himself a nice big hole.....

we helped cover him up.....

...and Hayden tended to the property around his daddy's head.
He even fed him lunch!!

Hayden's favorite pastime was walking the stones
around the pool.
We all had to take turns.
Many times.

How did a whale get into the pool??

Hayden loved the water and the independence
of floating around on his own.
I was so proud of him for being such a big boy.

What a nice way to cool off!

Friday night we stayed out after dinner to see the
Michael Jackson tribute show.
It was awesome.
Hayden was tuckered out
and slept right through the entertainment!

Bathing beauties

Hayden's turn to be buried.....
up to his waist!
We had a busy last day on the beach collecting
seashells, building sandcastles and
enjoying the sunshine.

Our last photo-op on the beach.

We had a great time......
and still managed to pull off pretty good tans!!