A Great weekend!

What a fun party weekend we had. Saturday Ty was invited to a party for one of his little preschool friend at a place called "Planet Gymnastics". It was fantastic. This kids were led around by instructors on all of the equipment but could also run off and play on their own if they wanted. I got to sit with baby girl and relax for a couple hours. (when she was done exploring the place of course)After that party we went straight to Iain's parents place to celebrate his stepdads 65th birthday. More cake & ice cream!!
Sunday Iain took Ty to swimming lessons & skating so while Vanessa napped I was able to work on my scrapbook a little more. That afternoon we were off to Chuck E. Cheese for our next door neighbour Julia's 2nd birthday party. Once again - more cake and goodies and the kids were so good.

(Dancing with the birthday girl at CEC)

Last but not least Iain graded for his yellow belt in Jiu-Jitsu this weekend (and got it). It was his first grading and he said it was pretty intense. He's been working really hard at this and I'm so proud of him.
Overall a great weekend but I loved lounging around this morning with the kids. Sometimes it's nice to have nothing pressing to do. I even had time to FINALLY get a barrett in Vanessa's hair. I may have to take her out just to show it off a bit.

Still on no sleep...

Well I don't know what has gone wrong but my children have decided that I don't need sleep at night - at least not more then a couple hours at a time. Vanessa is up at 12am and 3am to eat and Ty usually fills in the gaps wanting to milk at 1am then crawling in with us at 5am which wouldn't be too bad if he didn't insist on sleeping right on top of me. Fortunately they are pleasant during the day otherwise I think I would snap. How can I break this cycle though? I know Vanessa should stop needing to eat so often any day now but how do I get Ty to sleep through the night. Up until this past Christmas he was a great sleeper, never waking in the night. The only difference in his routine that I can think of is that he is in underwear now therefore using the toilet. I can't see how that would affect his sleeping though. Any thoughts from you professional moms out there?? I'm getting desperate!! In the meantime here are some pictures of my "little angels" this week.

(Ty still likes to draw clues in his "handy-dandy" notebook)

(Although she still hasn't mastered the forward crawl Vanessa can get anywhere going backwards- even in her skirt)

Scrapbooking...

Not much is new this week except that Ty is coughing and Vanessa is teething which means I'm on little to no sleep most days. I'm actually getting used to it - not enjoying it, but getting used to it.
I've finally started Vanessa's scrapbook. It's so much easier then Ty's b/c I'm basically copying everything I did for Ty but in pink. It's nice to take a little free time once in a while to do something like this for myself (and eventually them when they get old enough to appreciate it).

Vanessa first swimming lesson

Today was Vanessas first time in the pool. I was a little worried that she would be cold but she was a trooper and had a great time splashing all around and laughing while I blew bubbles and sang songs to her. I did not put her under water this time but I have a feeling she'll be fine next week when I do. Iain dumps water over her head when he bathes her and she was sticking her face in a bit today. Ty is such a little fish and I have a feeling she is going to be the same soon enough. I only got pictures of her before and after the lessons since I was there on my own and in the pool with her. She was so happy the whole time - I'm having so much fun with her.

We are all well again and back into the swing of things

Well we just got over a week long hump of both kids being sick off & on. The sickness seemed to only come at night and by the end of the week I was actually pretty comfortable being thrown up on. LOL!! It's funny how the things your own kids do don't gross you out. All I wanted was to make them feel better.
I don't think I've ever changed my pj's or the bedding so many times in one week. Fortunately it looks like we are in the clear now and just in time for Ty to get back to preschool and his other activities. This season he has gymnastics on Thursday nights, Skating on Wednesday mornings and Swimming on Sunday mornings. I've dropped the soccer for now since it was also on Wednesdays. He'll pick it up again in the spring.
Vanessa has her own activity now too. She starts swimming lessons on Friday mornings this week. I'm anxious to see how she does. She loves the bath tub but it's a lot warmer then the pool. Ty is such a fish, I'm wondering if she'll be the same.
It's nice to be back into a routine again and Iain and I are both back to the gym trying to keep our new years resolutions. So far so good- but it's only the first week. (Spending some quiet time reading together)

(Ty loves his baby sister)

(Hanging out in Vanessa's new play area - the playpen)

First time on skates

We finally took Ty skating this past Monday. He has been asking for a couple months now and for Christmas he got a pair of skates so he was all set to go. We thought he might last 15 minutes out there once he realized how hard it was but we were mistaken. Iain and I were tired long before he was. Our backs were aching from bending forward to help him out. It was still a great time and we officially have a little hockey player in the making.
I took him on my own again this morning and once again he outlasted me. I had to lured him off the ice with the promise of hot cocoa. (whatever works eh?) He has already improved and was able to stand on his own and take a couple little steps. He is so eager and determined to skate. It is so nice to see. I 'm going to try to take him every Wednesday morning for the next little while as long as he enjoys it. I don't think I'll sign him up for lessons until next winter though. (I'll have to see how my back holds up in the meantime though)

(pulling his skate bag in the arena "like a hockey player does")

(Getting some encouragement from Carter)

(I was a little rusty on my skates...)

(It was a great skate for the family)

Happy New Year!!

I can not believe another has come and gone. Where does the time go? I remember when I was in university I used to volunteer assisting a blind woman who was 92 years old. She told me that as you get older the years seem go by faster. Considering how quickly this year just passed for me at 31 years old, I can't imagine what a year for her was like.
We had a nice little New Years party with the neighbours & their kids this year that ended at 10pm. LOL!!

(Enjoying a little New Years dinner with friends)

At midnight the kids and my hubby were all in bed sleeping while I cleaned the kitchen. I really wanted to bring in the new year with a clean kitchen.
This year I have a few resolutions I hope to keep:
1. Lose this 4 lbs that is lingering (as I sit here munching on the
Tobblerone I got in my stocking)
2. Spend the kids nap times more productively i.e. clean or organize at least one room a day.
3. Spend more time playing "sit down" games with Ty.
4. Start to plan my living room/dining room - i.e. paint colour, furniture, accessories...
5. Get to the gym 3 times a week- even more incentive now that I
know I'll be in a bathing suit in May.

6. Be happy with what I do accomplish and appreciate
and enjoy each day with my family.
7. Hope to get pregnant again at some point.
8. Start trying new recipes for dinner - maybe in my new crockpot!!
9. Spend more time with my own grandmother.

In 2005 I was happy to have accomplished the following:
1. I delivered Vanessa (VBAC) that was a biggie!!
2. I got Ty into a bed - no soother (another big task)
3. I am very happy to say that Ty is out of diapers. On December 21st I put underwear on him and haven't looked back. ( Funny how I'm taking his accomplishments as my own)
4. Support Iain's love of motorcycles - even with my many reservations about it.
5. Get out for two overnight trips "sans kids" for the first time since Ty was born.
6. Get out for regular dinners and nights out with my friends (and not talk about the kids the entire time)- This one was a definite challenge but so worth it.
7. Keep in touch with those friends that I don't get a chance to see regularly.


Wishing everyone a wonderful, healthy and happy 2006!!

Christmas 2005!! I can't believe it's over...

I'm finally getting minute to update. Christmas was so much fun this year. Ty was so excited. Santa was very good to the kids. They got everything they asked for, and more... They were both really good all day. Vanessa even treated me to a nap while I ate my turkey dinner. I couldn't have asked for more.

(Ty & Vanessa opening their gifts from Santa)

Although the kids got spoiled this year (as usual) Iain and I did really well ourselves. The big surprise from my parents this year was a trip to Disney World in May. My mom & dad are taking us, my brother and his family and my youngest brother all to The Wilderness Resort lodge in Disney for 8 Days. (all expenses paid!!)

(The kids opening clues to the Disney Trip gift)

We are so excited. I'm thrilled that Ty is going to be able to share his first Disney experience with his cousins- who are even more excited about this since they really understand what Disney World is.

It was so nice to spend Christmas day with my family- my Papa Schott & my Nana McWhirter we also there along with my cousins, their significant others and my aunt & uncle. It's the one day a year that we get to see everyone- and everyone is in a great mood. I love Christmas!!

(Trying to get a picture of the whole clan)

(4 generations- Vanessa, me, my mom and her mom)