"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!!

Tanning beds are hazzardous to your health!

I know, I know.....what AM I doing tanning, right?!
I had my reservations about tanning pregnant,
but after careful research,
it's not that big of a deal, and I'm only doing 4 sessions.
My giant white belly, which has not seen the light of day,
doesn't want to get crispy while in Mexico.
But that's not the point.

Ralph tans at 4:45 and Hayden and I meet him at 5:00 for my turn.
We kid/car swap and I meet the boys at home.....
.....after a lovely 12 minute siesta.

Yesterday, we had a glitch.

I was getting undressed, and from my room I can hear
Hayden sobbing and crying, "mommy!"
I was thinking he just didn't want to leave me behind.
Wrong.
The tanning lady shouts, "Hayden got a boo-boo."
Huh??
They left 2 minutes ago.

I got re-dressed and walked back into the waiting room.
What do I see?
BLOOD!!
Ralph is holding paper towel on Hayden's head.
All that registers is that I can see blood coming out of my son's head!!
There's blood on his hands.
There is a HOLE in his forehead!!
Omigod, he needs stitches.

Here's the story....
Ralph and Hayden (car in each hand) were walking to the car
and Hayden tripped.
Instead of breaking his fall, Hayden refused to let go of his cars,
and his sweet little head broke his fall.
On a rock.

I'm not sure I want to get used to the blood and scrapes
that come with having a boy!

Mommy's job is to overreact.
Daddy's job is to say,
"ahh, it's no big deal."
"You don't want to sit at the hospital for 3 hours."
"Do you know how many injuries I have survived?!"

So I have that to look forward too.

10 on Tuesday

1. Mmmmmm.......Thanksgiving. My sister-in-law, Tessa, made a delicious turkey this year. I don't get turkey that often because my husband and father-in-law do not enjoy it. I left with a baggie full of turkey for sandwiches, and some turkey soup too. I'm spoiled. And happy I was wearing maternity pants for such an occasion! Everyone should get a pair! We stayed up way too late playing cards, but we had a great time.

2. I am grateful that Hayden slept until 7:30 and 8:00 AM on Sunday and Monday morning. Gotta love it when we don't have to wake up to an annoying alarm. Just my sweet son, nose against mine saying, "morning mommy."

3. Unfortunately, we woke up Monday morning to a house full of doggy poop. Poor Zeus is not having a good go. Medical issues keep popping up, he's getting old, and I think this was our breaking point. After much discussion, and some tears, we mentally prepared ourselves to say goodbye to Zeus on Tuesday morning. We solemnly traveled to the vet first thing in the morning........to find out he simply has a case of "beaver-fever." In my husbands words...... "looks like Zeus dodged another bullet!" What an emotional roller coaster.

4. Is it a new trend to buy a car in which you drive on the right hand side?

5. I am fearing my Dr.'s appointment tomorrow. I think I might be in for "the talk" about weight gain. I personally think I just make big babies.

6. We are having a helluva time agreeing on a boys name! If this baby is a girl, we have been set on the name for years. Not an issue. If this baby is a boy........help! We have a few choices, but if anyone has any cool names that aren't "saved" for future children, please let me know!

7. I found out that Shoppers may be open on CHRISTMAS DAY!! This is absolutely ridiculous and I am so angry about it! Is nothing sacred?? And I am a bit afraid that I will get scheduled 'cause I'm a little part-timer....with a husband and child and family.... just like everyone else!! I am so filled with rage about this. Can you imagine? Me working until midnight on Christmas day?? Ain't gonna' happen folks. I may have to take early maternity leave.....

8. Little boys jeans should come with reinforced knees. Hayden is about to bust through 2 more pairs!! I refuse to put patches on them, so don't even say it.

9. It is unexplainable how wonderful it is to have such talented photographers as friends.
Here is a teaser of one of the shots of me and baby #2:


10. I am still frantically packing for Mexico. We leave on Sunday at 8 AM.......Woo-hoo!!

10 on Tuesday!

1. I am SO tired. Hayden has been getting up with Ralph.....by 6:30 AM..... for the last few weeks. I am trying not to be cranky about it. Really I am. He's so sweet and in such a good mood when he wakes up. He's rearing to go!! Unlike his mother. I can't take away his nap in the afternoon 'cause he's a grumpy-bear if I do. If I wake him up before the 2 hour nap is done, he's growly. We've tried putting him to bed later, but he's way too smart for us. He still gets up early. Suggestions??

2. Hayden is going through another growth spurt. He needs an entirely new Fall wardrobe. Flood pants and crop tops are NOT in fashion for little boys.

3. Growing out my hair still sucks. Having a little trim tomorrow to take out some of the bulk. I should look less like a giant mushroom.

4. SO EXCITED about tomorrow night. I'm having some belly pictures taken by the Blakeneys (of course!) I'm hoping this session will connect me with my sexy-mama side and help me feel less like a hippopotamus.

5. On that note....I'm over half way to meeting our beautiful new baby!! Soon, it won't just be Hayden and I during the day. A whole new world of parenting is waiting for me.....

6. I am having way more aches and pains with this pregnancy. I feel like my pelvis is splitting! I'm trying not to complain about it. I know it's just one of those things I have to go through. I also can't do a flight of stairs without sucking wind. Eek. And I'm supposed to shave where before I go to Mexico?@#! Uh-oh. Thankfully, no swollen ankles.....yet.

7. Had my first filling yesterday. I have never experienced the weirdness of being numb on half of my face.....bizarre. I must admit, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I think the giant pokey needle was the worst part. 3 hours later, when the freezing was coming out, I felt pretty nauseous. A little nap cured that......and the piece of apple pie I ate when I got up helped too!

8. We FINALLY have a Halloween costume that Hayden will actually try/keep on. Let's hope this enthusiasm for dressing up continues until Halloween night......he'll look pretty darn cute!

9. The power was out for a couple of hours today. Does it drive anyone else crazy when it is that quiet?! I could hear the fish swimming. I need SOME noise or I go mad!! I also continue to flip light switches even though I KNOW they won't work?! I managed to sit in peace and read a couple of chapters of my book before the computer came back on.......

10. Joshua Radin ROCKS my world!! He's playing on iTunes right now. I love electricity.

.....Hayden McQueen?

Hayden LOVES cars.
We have been feeding his obsession
and have collected most of the car characters from
the Disney movie Cars.
Ralph has been buying them on eBay.
I have been scoping out Wal Marts across Calgary.
Grandma and Grandpa have the market covered
in Saskatoon.

Countless hours of the day are spent lining them up,
driving them off the edge of the coffee table,
naming each and every one,
and choosing his favorites.

He takes some to bed at night.
Others go on car rides.
Chosen few make a trip to the park.
Some go to the grocery store.

We were trying to remember who bought the first car
that started this craziness.
It was our realtor.
At the time, we thought it was such a kind gesture.
Thanks a lot Jeff.

I can tell you one thing......
the Cars DVD is coming on the plane ride to Mexico.
He actually watches the WHOLE movie!

Now, he runs around the house saying "I'm faster than fast......
I'm Hayden McQueen!"

We've created a monster.

10 on Tuesday!

Since I missed my "Thoughts on Thursday"........here's the week in review!

1. My mom and Dad arrived from Saskatoon on Tuesday and we had a great visit, as usual. I was so happy for them because Hayden's reaction when they walked in the door was awesome! My parents are always worried that Hayden won't remember who they are......not a chance. He ran into their open arms with big hugs and kisses, and thoroughly enjoyed their company all week.

2. Wednesday was the big 4-D ultrasound. And a side of EKG. (My heart seems to skip beats when I get pregnant) Mom and Dad had some quality time with Hayden while we met baby #2!
I can't believe our parents had to wait the whole 9 months without so much as a peek at us. I couldn't do it. I would be a nervous wreck!

3. Thursday we took Mom and Dad to Stage West and saw Viagra Falls. It was hilarious. We had a great dinner, and it was so nice for just the four of us to be out for the evening. (Hayden spent the evening with Oma & Opa.)

4. Bad things only happen in threes, right?! Well, I've had my three.....I got my first cavity and I need a filling. I got my eyes checked and I need my first pair of glasses. I was driving with my parents on Friday morning and got my first speeding ticket!

5. We had to PVR the premieres for our favorite Thursday night shows because we were out on Thursday night. We managed to watch 1/2 of Survivor while Hayden was "napping" on Friday afternoon.....he interrupted us and was on hippopotamus and elephant watch the rest of the show!

6. My child is too smart for his own good. As we were watching Survivor, a commercial came on bearing a familiar logo. Hayden comes out with, "it's crappy tire!" I thought I was going to pee my pants!! He went on to tell us that the logo looks like a strawberry. In moments like these, I look at him and can't believe how much my baby has grown up.

7. Shopping with a busy 2 1/2 year old is NOT THE SAME as shopping at your leisure.

8. How is it possible that we just don't make the time to see family that live in the same city?? Does anyone else have this frustration? I feel like I make the same "excuse" about being busy, but somehow it's not an excuse. My mom's brother (my uncle Greg) and his wife came over on Friday night, and we had a great little visit. I think Greg, Judy, Ralph and I have been trying to have an evening together for 3 months!! Don't even get me started on how often I see my cousins that live in S.E. Calgary.

9. I got a call pleading me to come into work for a few hours on Saturday afternoon. I am way to nice, and feel way to guilty to say no. Why is it so hard for people to be responsible and cover their own shifts!@#? Grrrrrrr.......

10. We went to Heritage Park on Friday morning and had an awesome time. Hayden is crazy for trains and I think we could have "rode the rails" all day! It was Railway Days, so we got an extra dose of all things trains. Lucky Hayden!

18 Week Ultrasound....

Presenting.....
Baby Deters #2 in utero!

Our baby didn't feel much like showing off today.
He or she played shy and stayed curled up on it's side for
most of the ultrasound.

Little Stinker.
And a thumb-sucker already!

The images we did get are pretty amazing.
I, of course, cried when I saw
our little one all comfy-cozy inside my belly.
The baby is measuring 18 weeks and 6 days.....
which is exactly what it should be,
and is about 5.5" long.

The bets are on for whether it's a boy or a girl.
We told the technician we didn't want to know the sex of the baby,
but I can't help but analyze the video for 'signs'
(or an absence of 'signs') as to what it is.
Either a little sister or a little brother for Hayden
is fine with us!

2 Boys and a Little Lady

Hayden got to visit Oma's house yesterday
so that mommy could go for an eye exam.
Tessa also came by for a visit with Brody and Sienna.
How can you help a photo op with these
cute little monkeys running around?!

Can you imagine what it will be like when Sienna

starts trying to date?
Between her big brother and her cousin, the
boys don't stand a chance!

I love this picture!
It looks like Hayden is telling a joke.....
Sienna finds it hilarious.
Brody doesn't like the punch-line.

The brat pack.

I love that these little
buddies are growing up together.

Thoughts on Thursday

1. I love the colors of Fall. I love wearing layers. I love sweaters and turtlenecks. I do not like, however, the thought that a cold, crappy Winter is just around the corner.....

2. I have really been missing my ponytail lately. I am growing out my hair one last time, so that I can have a PT when the new baby comes, but it is taking forever. It is at that weird stage right now where I have 'wingers' and 'flippy-bits' where there shouldn't be. I know I just have to be patient. In my opinion, with my pregnancy hormones surging, it should take no time at all!

3. Ralph and I are already addicted to the new show Fringe. I wasn't going to start watching it, but I caved, and now I'm totally hooked! Let the rest of the Fall line-up begin!!

4. I know that no matter what anyone says, my son needs a 2 hour nap. The world, or at least my home, is a much happier place when the master of the house is rested. Yesterday, he very closely resembled the wild animals we saw at the zoo. (We had a great day.....up until about 5PM when the s#@t hit the fan, and the meltdown fairy paid us a visit.)

5. I am bored with my cooking. I feel so un-creative. I own a million cookbooks.....I just never seem to consult them before I go to the grocery store so that I have everything I need. Like I said last week, I really could shop every day. And own shares at Sobey's. They do have a new points program......

6. Zeus is healthy as a horse. It only took $800, and a lot of stress and worry to figure that out. He just needs doggy Depends.

7. Hayden repeats EVERYTHING we say. There have been so many times where his little voice comes out with the exact words that we have said. It's a beet creepy. I realize now that he hears us, he just doesn't always listen!

8. I have already started "packing" for Mexico. (It's merely a pile of things set aside that I know I need to take.) We leave on October 19th. It's a total sickness, I know.....but I rarely forget anything! And now, I have a little pile of things for Hayden that are ready to pack too! I shouldn't pass along my OCD tendencies to my child.......

9. I have to work until midnight tonight. Anyone need their makeup done?

Mmmmmm....soapy.....

Hayden plays VERY well on his own.

I love his independence.

Most days.

But sometimes.....

.....sometimes you walk into the room

with your mouth wide open in amazement!

Sometimes, silence is a BAD thing!

I should learn to NEVER mistake silence for good behavior.

But how do you punish him for

practicing good hygiene??

Calaway Park.....part two!

We decided to take advantage of the beautiful day,
because, sadly, I don't think there are too many more left!
Tessa, Scott, Brody and Sienna joined us,
and we had a great day together!!
The kids really enjoyed themselves....
and isn't that the best part?!

This time, Hayden had a little buddy to share the rides with!
They look like such big boys riding on their own.

Tessa and Ralph took turns taking
the kids on the rides that required adult supervision.

Why they chose the back of the bus.....I have no idea.
Maybe 'cause they know that's where
the cool kids sit!

Hayden had a BLAST on the mini roller coaster.
He laughed the whole time.

Hayden and Daddy waiting for the train....

Mommy and Hayden on the train!
This was, of course, the highlight of the day!

Jen, Jadyn and Cameron met us later in the day,
so Hayden had another little
buddy to ride with.
(Poor Jadyn doesn't have the height advantage
that Hayden does, and she was turned
away on a few rides. Boo!)

The first family picture of the
almost 4 of us!