Today my baby girl turns three years old. No longer a toddler, for it has been a long time since she has toddled. Now she is a preschooler. Gasp. I could get all sappy and go back to the day she was born. How every night that it rains it floods me with the emotions I had being separated from her after her birth. How everyday I fretted that her premature birth would hold her back, that her tiny size would be part of her world forever.

Fast forward three magical years. We have moved twice, leaving our country, family and friends. Becca has blossomed into this amazing, smart, witty, fun little girl. She would rather climb with the boys than play with dolls. She can sit during story time at the library perfectly still listening intently no matter what the other children are doing.

Becca adores animals, yet is afraid of bugs and anything that may be on the tricky side. She will shake her “booty” sticking her butt out far to dance. Pooh bear is still her favorite, but it is not so imperative that he be by her side to sleep. Becca can swim under the water, holding her breath and kicking her feet. She knows all the words to “On Top of Spaghetti” but “Bingo” is Dingo.

She is quiet and sweet, a book lover, tv addict (if allowed), anything for a good story. Her imagination soars with plots and animals talking. I feel like the next year will be an amazing year of learning, exploring and adventure. I am so lucky to be her Mom.

She is my sweet daughter. I love her so much it hurts.

Happy Third Birthday Becca!

We are quietly celebrating Becca’s birthday since she already had a bash back in California. Ethan & I are taking her to a movie at the theatre in the morning, then baking her a cake in the afternoon. We have a few small surprises for her and as per Becca’s request we are having grilled cheese for dinner.

So yesterday was a really good day. Ethan nursed like crazy and it seems as though the difficulty he had breathing has subsided. Becca was amazingly behaved (maybe sensing mommy on the verge of madness?) and although I was exhausted by the end of the day, it was still really good. We even escaped to the library!

So the movers came today. The first five things to come into the house … RUINED. So in my head I have a running mantra “It is only stuff … sure it is MY stuff but it is only stuff”. J called in the middle of the chaos and proceeded to take some time off work to come home. Maybe I sounded stressed? A baby, a preschooler, three movers, a beast of a cat and a ton of gear coming in. Stress? Psshhaa … After lunch J returned to training, while Becca and I unwrapped stuff. Ethan the ever lazy baby watched from his bouncey chair then snoozed!

So I am a super mover … Did you know that? Yup, I have the kitchen unpacked and almost organized. Those few stray items still need to find homes. The livingroom is arranged … maybe … takes a couple days to be sure. Let the dust settle so to speak.

So all in all … despite the busted tv (our small one), the lamps that were destroyed, a bookshelf (grrr), my computer desk (jerks!) the gear is here!

Becca, Ethan and I are going to play hookie from unpacking tomorrow morning to attend Music and Movement at the library. My new potential friend is going to be there! Then it is back to the grind in the afternoon. We are in the search of some pieces for Ethan’s crib (something he has yet to use but the kid is growing like a weed!) and need to get the kids room set up completely. Becca was exhausted and totally passed out in their room (she has been sleeping in our room, all but one night since we arrived).

I am stinky & tired…

The movers are not coming today.

Ethan is sick. All I want to do is hold him, rock him … wait we do not have furniture. Damn.

I am not frikin’ Mary Poppins.

I am being pushed way beyond the limits of sanity.

My soon to be three year old will not even take 20 minutes for quiet time.

If we have to take Ethan to the doctor we will have to pay for the visit.

We live in the US.

Can’t drink, nursing.

Give me strength.

ok … let it all out … now to go downstairs and be all cheery, creative, loving and nurturing. It is a darn good thing my kids are sweet and cute (most of the time).

It is official … Our gear has left California and could be here as early as tomorrow!!!

J has his first day of training today. It feels good it start a routine again. At first it is lovely to be carefree, stay up late watching Jackass the Movie (part 1 & 2!), taking turns sleeping in (although I think I received more turns! hehe) … The time had come to get back into our little routines.

This past week we went out to the public library. In fact we explored the Farmer’s Market located next to the library first (prices are way high, we were so surprised!), then Becca HAD to stop at the playground (slap dab in the middle of the market and the library no avoiding it! hehe) where I made contact.

Yup I made contact. I spotted a potential mom friend and zeroed in for the kill errr conversation. Really nice fellow mom, has a 4 week old and an almost 3 year old (so close in ages eh?), we even exchanged numbers and email later on when we ran into each other inside the library!

Oh the library is MAGICAL. Seriously Canadian standard library rather than the dusty, shut them in a small room library we had in California. Three amazing floors of book goodness. The bottom floor is completely dedicated to children. They have free classes with Music, story times … I am in heaven! Becca and I both signed up for their Summer Reading Program. We have to read so many books and we win PRIZES! If I can reach the goal of NINE books this summer (ugh tough one with both kids) I can receive a black cloth library book bag!!!! I am half way done a Stephen King book and have started a book about the history of Los Alamos that we checked out of the library, so I am well on my way I also pre-ordered the last of the Harry Potter books. I guess I am just a big kid, because I have throughly enjoyed being swept away into the world of witches, wizards and muggles!

I am off to go get some groceries with the kids, then J is coming home for lunch. One bonus of being in a very small town is that he can come home (once he is in the lab working he never really takes a break, just eats as he is running calculations on his computer so he will rarely exercise the lunch at home option).

Ooooo I WON! hehe! I love winning. Petite Mommy runs an awesome site geared for Moms, and hosts contests on an ongoing basis … well I won a Handy Burpee! Since Ethan adores spitting up on us on a regular basis, we will definitely be putting it to good use! Thanks to Love Prints and Contests for Moms!

I have to admit that although this week has been extremely trying, it has also bonded our family together. There has been much laughter, some tears, a lot of creativity and many snuggles, wrestles, kisses and hugs. Surprisingly, Becca’s meltdowns have been few, mostly arriving after an exhausting day. Ethan has taken to chilling out on the floor or being in our arms. We four have had an intimate week. It went by alarmingly quick. I feel under-prepared for the week to come. J begins orientation and lab training Monday.

We had hoped to received word that our mystical belongings would be delivered Monday, however we are still in the dark. It is a relief to have a phone and internet. I have read through ALL my bloglines (you all have been busy!), commenting when I had a free hand.

My hips are aching from nursing, sitting, and lying on the floor. I am yet to be fully healed from giving birth and my body is screaming for reprive! We purchased a beautiful patio set with the cash we made from the sale of our fridge that allows us to eat our meals with table and chairs. It is amazing to eat outside, in the fresh mountain air every meal. I hope that we will continue to escape there once our furniture arrives.

Who knew furniture was so darn important. If I never have to sit on the floor again it will be too soon. Not having all the kitchen supplies, spices and other gear makes cooking a challenge. We purchased a bread maker! I am so excited! I have wanted one for a while now (always envious of Holly and Marina’s breads & loaves!) We made our first loaf of bread the other day … it was so yummy! We made a whole wheat loaf (Becca was a tad disappointed it was not one like the Ladies always made … please send me recipes!) I am so looking forward to exploring the machine more and making a ton of breads and loaves.

We went garage sale shopping again this morning (new addiction?!?! Maybe!) and scored a few more things for Becca to keep her imagination fueled. A few books, some rubber duckies (she has a thing for then because of Ernie’s Rubber Duckie song!) and an Animal Shop that came with cages, animals … everything one would need ot run a pet store! She is loving it! I found a bag of wool, enough to knit a sweater … $5! I will post pics soon!

Speaking of pictures … I uploaded a whole whack of them up on Flickr today. Pretty much our trip out, the view from the Hill and house pics.