heat and grace

The past two nights have been deathly hot.

It was 29 degrees on the main floor last night - I don't even want to think about how hot it was upstairs!

Both boys slept in their diapers. No jammies.

Both boys had trouble sleeping. At least when Noah woke up at 11:30 (?) last night and wanted to come downstairs and play I was able to appease him with his water bottle - which he wanted to sleep with and of course I let him because why wouldn't I? (I held my breath as I shut the door to his room and walked away. Praise the Lord, he went back to sleep!)

It's been hot, but it's funny how you do adapt to it. At first I was grumpy our a/c wasn't working. I was reminded by my dear husband that if we lived in a hot, third world country we wouldn't have a/c there either. True, true, my dear. (But I was still hot.)

But after a few days of scorchers, I'm still hot, but it's just what it is now.

The a/c will be fixed eventually and we'll have the luxury of being cool inside while it is HOT outside. This is grace, I think.

For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

James 1:11

Quinoa Salad

This is easy peasy and oh-so fresh and delicious. It's a great {and versatile} summer salad and I REALLY love the taste of quinoa (pronounced "Kin-wah" not "Qwi-noh-ah" like I was calling it for months!). It's slightly nutty and apparently a source of protein. Who knew?

1 cup quinoa

2 cups water

1 zucchini, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1+2 tbsp olive oil

2 tbsp lemon juice

2 tbsp fresh parsley

salt

pepper

Rinse quinoa by running water over grains in a pot. Drain and add two cups of water and some salt to the pot.
Bring the water to boil. Simmer until water is absorbed (about 10-15 min).

In a frying pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil. Add chopped bell pepper and saute for 5 min on medium-high heat. Add chopped zucchini, season with salt and pepper, and saute for 5 more min. Mix them with quinoa.

Add olive oil, lemon juice and parsley. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.

Taste and adjust the lemon juice and seasoning.

**can be served/eaten hot/warm or cold. I think it's delicious no matter how you eat it.

Purging Post One

Today was the day that I started what will forever be known as:

The Great Purge of 2010

That's right, folks. I'm purging. And it feels oh-so-good!

How is it that in a mere two and a half years we have accumulated so much STUFF related to kids and babies? It's overwhelming and almost sickening. Please don't get me wrong, I am thankful for all that God's provided through family and friends. But it's to the point where the level of toys in our house is excessive. It's taking over every room (yes, even the bathrooms!) like some sort of mutating toy monster. And the clothes (curse you tiny baby socks!)! Every single male in this household has come into the habit of taking off their socks and leaving them lying about. Not to mention the bibs, pajamas and dirty pants that are sitting on the stairs awaiting the journey upstairs to the laundry basket.

So what better place to start than with the toys that have taken over my house? (I can't think of any.)

So during Noah's nap today I grabbed a garbage bag and got rid of all the toys that fit the following criteria:

1. stuffed animals that don't get played with or are just too big for my liking

2. toys I don't like (generally loud, big, plastic toys)

3. cheap, crappy toys

4. all the McDonald's toys (or similar toys) we've accumulated

5. toys that are missing pieces or pieces of toys that don't belong to anything

6. toys that don't get played with (even if I like them)

I threw out a bunch of toys but some of them are sitting in the garage as I'll likely sort through them and offer them to other families who may like them or sell them in a garage sale or on Kijiji.

I'm going to keep at it and considerably pare down clothing and toys that belong to the boys. It's all just too much. And our house is bursting at the seams!

Less is definitely more.
More room. More appreciation for what we own. More enjoyment in the simple things. More quality. (Less quantity.)

Stay tuned for continued purging posts...

The Sweetness

Sweet moments that redeem all the crabby ones:

Noah playing "peekaboo" with Jude while in their carseats and making Jude laugh.

Hearing Noah call Jude "Sweetie pie", "Mr. Judeling", "Baby" and "Judester".

Noah getting Jude a toy to play with when he's crying ("Here Jude. Here you go. It's okay baby.")

Seeing the excitement on both boys' faces when they first see each other in the morning (they're still in separate rooms...for a little bit longer me thinks).

Watching Noah finally (and joyfully) share his beloved cars with Jude (after having snatched them away repeatedly).

Sometimes you just gotta focus on the sweet moments instead of the sour.

Gettin' LOST

I'm watching the LOST series finale tonight.

I'm really excited.

Kinda sad.

It's bittersweet, really.

And I can't wait!

motivation proclamation

This was my first week of training for a 10km race.

Remember this post? And remember how I linked to a 10km race at the Toronto Zoo?

Well, I'm doing it! I'm registered and I'm training (even though it's months away) and I'm SO excited!

So this week was the first of a 10 week training to run a 10km race. It's 5 days on, 2 days off (Friday and Sunday). So I ran 30 minutes on Monday and Wednesday and then did strength training and walking/elliptical on Tuesday and Thurdsay. Saturdays are the longer run and today was supposed to be a 40 minutes run.

So I mapped out my run for roughly 5km including a cool down since I don't have a sports watch. I figured it would take me about 40 minutes to do that.

But I got lost. I realized I had pretty much double backed which frustrated me because I actually wanted to try and do the 40 minute run and not do any less.

So I started running on every crescent I passed in order to cover more ground before getting back home.

As I turned onto my street I slowed to a walk and then did a bit of stretching on my drive way.

I got in and saw that I had ran for about 40-45 minutes.

Then I sat down and mapped out how far I actually ran.

I ran 5.5km!!!! And I could have kept going but I didn't want to get too far away and then have to walk all the way back. I am on such a high! It felt SO good as I was running and I feel so good right now!
It was really the first 3km that killed me but then after that my body got into a rhythm and I just ran.

I feel really encouraged and motivated and proud of myself.

It's been awhile since I could say I felt really proud of something that I accomplished.

*jumps for joy*

a lovely day

It was a lovely day.

Even though Jamie was gone from 9am-9pm we (the boys and I) managed to make the most of it.

Jude woke up at 9 so I got us all dressed and fed and we were out the door on a walk to Starbucks.

But I meandered on the way. Well, I power-walked the l o o o o o o o o n g way to get there.

We walked through the forest and I pushed that double stroller up and down hills in the gorgeous sunshine (it got up to 28 degrees today!).

We got to Starbucks and I ordered 2 mini cherry scones. One for me, and one for Noah.

We sat in the back on the leather couch. Noah munched on his scone and I on mine. Jude enjoyed some Mum Mums. The boys were happy and quiet.

It was wonderful.

Then we walked back home but stopped at a park for 20 minutes to swing on the swings and slide down the slides.

We got home and it was lunch time!

Lunch.

Then naps.

I lay down and Jude woke up (curse you mid-nap poops!) and then Noah woke up shortly after.

We spent some time outside blowing bubbles and running around in our bare feet.

Sure, we had cheese and crackers for lunch and toast with peanut butter for dinner. But we survived. Actually, we did more than just survive. We had fun.

The house is still a mess. The laundry is still sitting in the washing machine (I just remembered this - dang). The kitchen floor is nearing disgusting levels. And don't get me started on the mass amounts of clothes in my room that need to be put away. *sigh*

But I'm going to go upstairs and have a refreshing shower and then read my book (the memoir of a midwife) feeling content with how I spent my day.

(Except the laundry. I'll probably finish that before going to bed.)

Elbow pop

Today Noah's elbow popped out for the third time in his short 2.5 years.

I knew right away that's what had happened because he was holding his arm and refusing to move it and any time it shifted in the slightest he winced and whimpered. I gave him some Tylenol and since it happened (I don't even know how it happened this time as I was upstairs, Jamie was downstairs with him and had just turned around to get something when it happened - we still don't know!) right before nap time I just sat and talked with him quietly and then eventually he had a nap. He woke up crying and wouldn't move it again so I texted Jamie to tell him one of us needed to take Noah to emerg. I even called our doctor's office to see if we could go there since I hate going to emerg, but they didn't have any appointment available for today. I couldn't wait until tomorrow - especially with Noah in the condition he was so off I went to the hospital with Noah.
And what does he do the second we pull INTO the hospital parking lot (that you have to pay $6 to get out of!)? He lifts his hurt arm to point at the hospital.

Sigh.

Oh well. So we go in and he starts using his arm to reach for something or to put a snack in his mouth.

Anyway, it was only 1.5 hrs from start to finish so I can't complain, really. By the time we saw the doctor Noah was using his arm again so I'm guessing at some point along the way it popped back in on its own or at least did partially as the doctor said he felt a small pop.

And I did make sure to get the doctor to show me how to pop it back in on my own so we could avoid coming in next time.

Anyway, so all is back to normal and unfortunately according to this doctor there aren't any strengthening exercises we can do. It's just something he's supposed to grow out of. I certainly hope so!

What's in a name? from Vanessa Strickland on Vimeo.

Bed Update 4.0

The last few nights have been okay.

Noah didn't fall out of bed last night, but he did wake briefly at 1am so I went in and calmed him down from whatever woke him up. (I don't even remember now - I think he went right back to sleep basically.)

But tonight he fell out at about the same time as he did the first night. I picked him up and he just lay on my shoulder. I put him back into bed and he was all quiet - didn't say a word, just sighted and then I could hear him breathing as I covered him with his blankets. Not sure if he was still half asleep or what, but hopefully he falls right back to sleep for the rest of the night.

I wonder if around 11:30 is when his sleep goes from restless to deep night sleep so while he's moving about and stirring is when he ends up falling out of the bed. Interesting. Perhaps I'll go in around 11 and check on him and make sure he's fully in his bed - if I remember.

Oh and naps have been fine. He goes down okay (although I have been hearing him talk and sing away to himself for about 15 or 20 minutes) and sleeps fine. The last couple days have been shorter naps, but his naps always vary depending on the day. Anywhere from about an hour to almost 2 hours - it really just depends on the day.

Swagger Wagon

I couldn't resist. Especially after writing about fearing the move to a minivan some day.

Enjoy!

We're in big trouble

I just have this feeling that we are in for it (whatever "it" is - probably trouble, mischief, having our hands full...all of the above I think...) as Jude continues to become mobile and learn to walk and climb and run.

Tonight as I was changing Jude's diaper as soon as I took his diaper off he whipped over onto his belly and he was OFF. Laughing and giggling and crawling away from me! I was so shocked and of course played right into it saying "Hey! Get back here, you!" and laughing and "chasing" him.

He LOVED it.

I loved it.

And of course he continued to crawl away from me after I had finished changing and dressing him.

I guess it's time to get the gate up!

Bed Update 3.0

Tonight was night two of Noah sleeping in a bed.

He fell out.

I heard a *thump* in the middle of the Survivor Reunion show (my life = exciting!) and immediately I ran upstairs to find Noah sitting on his bum beside his bed. He was a bit shaken up, but calmed quickly in my arms. When I asked him if anywhere hurt he said "yes." and then when I asked him where it hurt he said, "Ummmmmm" which means there wasn't anywhere specifically that hurt. Funny boy. So we put him back to bed and left.

But then about 30 minutes later I heard "Mama. Mama. Mommy. Mommy. Mommy." quietly coming from his room. So I went up and of course he was all about coming downstairs and playing with his toys and was getting quite upset when I told him it was nighttime, time for bed and that we could play with his toys tomorrow.

*sigh*

Then he said, "I wanna cuddle."

*my heart*

So of course I cuddled up with him on the bed (I couldn't do this with him in his crib!) for a few minutes and then kissed his head and came back downstairs.

He's still talking from his room and wanting to go in "Mommy & Daddy's bed" but I'm hoping he stays put and falls asleep sooner rather than later.

Bed Update 2.0

He did it! He slept all the way through the night on the first try!

I did go in before I went to bed to check on him and found him out cold right against the edge of the bed.

He didn't wake up until 7:30 this morning and then I heard him calling for me. As soon as I stepped in, he hopped right off the bed with a big smile on his face.

So cute.

One night down...the rest of his life to go.

Bed Update 1.0

It didn't take me long to put together Noah's bed this morning.

And now he's taking a nap in it.

He got into his bed without any fuss or complaint and stayed there and it's been about an hour so far. So I'm pretty happy about the first nap going so well. We'll see how tonight goes.

I hear that it takes a couple weeks for some kids to "get it". As in, that's when they realize that they can actually get OUT of their bed and that is when the trouble starts.

But we'll just take it one day at a time and see how it all pans out.

Here's Noah sporting some attitude beside his new bed:

some food for thought...

We're going to do it.

The big move.

The major transition.

Alright, so we're just moving Noah from a crib to a bed, but it kinda, sorta feels as though it's a really big deal. And it probably will be. To him. (And me...)

So I started thinking through the transition like I do all things - I googled it.

Specifically "transitioning from a crib to a bed". Every single site I clicked on and article I read cited one of the signs your child is ready is that they are climbing out of the crib.

*small rant coming. You are warned.

Why is this a sign of being ready for a bed? For MORE freedom? So basically we reward the inability to respect boundaries with MORE freedom? Perhaps at first glance this seems like the perfect sign that your child is ready for a bed. He/she is getting older, more co-ordinated, able to climb and get out and about. But upon closer inspection, perhaps it's not the wisest thing to do.

It wasn't until I was talking with my friend who is a few years ahead of me in the child-rearing business (which by the way, every Mom should have a friend who is a couple years ahead of them to give them tips, warnings, and just to see what's coming up!) and this subject came up that I started thinking this whole thing through. It struck me after our conversation that if it's the fear of your child getting hurt by falling out of the crib that is motivating you, why aren't we treating it like a hot stove or a busy street?
This is something that is dangerous and you need to obey me when I say STAY.

And then either discipline or natural consequences occur when the parent is NOT obeyed.

On the other hand, I think it's a sure thing that children (all children) get to an age (some earlier, some later....some MUCH later) where they test. They test boundaries. They test rules. They test EVERYTHING. It's how they learn. And our job as parents is to be consistent and to show them and tell them where the boundaries are. What the rules are.

Of course it's not our only job (we need to laugh and smile and love and create and enjoy and give and plant gardens and explore nature and run and make up games and talk in silly voices, too) but it IS a part of what it means to be a parent.

So my main beef is that just because your child can climb out of a crib does NOT mean they are ready for a bed. They definitely could be ready, but perhaps if they learned to stay in the crib, they might just stay in their bed at 3am when they just feel like getting up and coming to see you. I don't know. I'm not there yet. Maybe I've got it all wrong and this transition to a bed is going to go horribly wrong.

And I also don't mean to come off as this strict "YOU WILL NEVER GET OUT OF YOUR BED BY YOURSELF EVER. UNTIL YOU ARE 16 YEARS OLD." kind of parent. I've learned to "never say never" as a parent. I've learned that there are always exceptions to the rule. And not to worry if you have to bend or change a rule on occasion.
But ground rules are good. And important.

So if you moved your kid from a crib to a bed because they were climbing out, well, I hope it worked out! I'm sure it did. I mean, you don't see 16 year olds bugging their Mom at 2am because they want to play with their Legos or at 5:30am because they're ready to eat Lucky Charms (in fact, you'd be hard pressed to find ANY 16 year old who wants to get up and start their day at 5:30am!).

I guess I'm just stirring the pot a bit, questioning why every single website says the same thing when it just strikes me as not quite the best reasoning and generally wondering aloud in this big 'ole blogosphere. No judgement...merely bringing something to light and hopefully someone else will "get me".

Wish us luck! We're going to build the bed tomorrow and maybe a nap will happen - I don't really have a game plan, I'm just going to play it by ear and see how it goes. Pictures will be taken, perhaps some video and an update will most definitely be in the works.

You know me...I always need a challenge.