Wow. I survived an entire long weekend without the internet.

I didn’t like it. Sure it was nice to relax at a cute cottage by the sea, yet that is doable WITH my laptop. Being disconnected is so not fun. I did knit a lot. That was good, feeling the yarn between my fingers as I created something from nothing.

The weekend itself was fab. The kids absolutely adored having a yard to play in. We had to drag them indoors after the sun had gone down and the air was cool. Ethan was especially comfortable with the great outdoors. I am so happy we found our dream house. That boy needs to be outside!

We went on a whale watching tour. pfft. The whales were GONE. Such a bummer. The children were so wonderful on the boat, never complaining, and so quiet. I promised my heartbroken daughter a trip out next summer before the creatures head south for the winter!

My Dad took off to do some exploring on his own and will back today or tomorrow. I cannot believe his two week trip is almost over! The kids miss him already even though I have reassured them that he will be returning.

I have been playing catch up and working on some new projects. Wow. It is so nice to be caught up and back online. What was life like before this? Are you totally interwined in your connectedness?

phew. What a week. Really really glad it is over. Honestly it wasn’t bad, just exhausting.

This morning J took the kids so I could have some time to myself. It is a windy, windy day, so I worked on clearing out the 1300 emails (really I am so terrible at clearing it out) that had accumulated and attempted to finish up a few projects. I am happy to see around 88 emails now and some designing done! w00t!

I have been trying to pamper myself a little. So much of this past year has been dedicated to the other people in my life, very little time has been left over for me. I am a tad bit of a diva and got a little cranky about this fact. I am all about being pampered on occasion and feeling extremely special. J is usually pretty good of filling this need, but he too has been overwhelmed this last year. (Thanks Nic for the awesome polish!)

I find that if I do not take the time to feel good and look good, I get moody and depressed eventually. I am not really into the make up scene and really know very little about the whole process. It has never really been my thing. I envied those girls in high school that always appeared polished and put together.

When Harper Collins sent me, Sephora:The Ultimate Guide To Make-up, Skin, and Hair From the Beauty Authority, I wasn’t sure if it was something I could utilize or if it would just be pretty. I was pleasantly surprised and captivated. The book is down to earth and has practical tips, even for the make-up naive like me. I have been attempting to put a little make-up on every time we go out in honour of the book. The tips on sleep and skin intrigued me. Rather than pushing expensive chemicals, the author encourages more sleep, eating well, and goes on to explain why good foods are good for you inside and out. the spoon in the freezer, to treat pimples … yup totally works! Brings down the swelling, and redness! w00t!

A little knitting always helps the emotional state. These socks were cast on last JULY … so hey at least I finished them in less than a year. Sweet, wool socks all ready for SUMMER. I am a tad late for the Earth element for Project Spectrum too. Shhh our secret k? I also finished my first sewing project with my serger!!! However you will have to head over to The Opinionated Parent, to check it out (and you could be the next big WINNER!)

All this talk about me, when the weekend is really dedicated to J and his awesomeness. Happy Father’s Day (quick go buy him something for the BBQ!) Hope everyone has a fab weekend!

I went from a nothing weekend to crazy busy-ness. How can it still only be Tuesday?

I have been (on top of our regularly schedule) spring cleaning. One might assume that since we moved here a mere six months ago, that there would be little clutter. Ha! Double that. Ha! Ha! Ethan is quickly growing out of the “baby gear” and quite content to harass play with Becca & her toys. In fact give the toddler a play silk an an empty vitamin bottle and he is set for the morning! hehe

Yes I said toddler. ugh. Why do they grow up so fast? Ethan is a full on walker. Never does he resort to the act of crawling (unless of course to go underneath something). It amazes me how quickly he went from zombie walk to arms at his sides. Running is a fraction of time away.

Yesterday I did the unthinkable. I attend a local MOPS meeting once a month with the kids. I have gone 3 or 4 times always bolstering Ethan in my sling. He was always content to fall asleep to the chatter of mothers. Since he is now refusing to nap in the mornings, opting for a long afternoon nap, I was worried how our MOPS meeting would go. So I took a deep breath and left him in the extremely capable hands of the ladies in the nursery. Oh he CRIED. I let them know that I was absolutely willing to take him back if he could not calm himself. I watch the door. Begging silently for my baby to NEED me. They did not bring him out. GASP. Ethan doesn’t NEED ME anymore.

Golly, he sure does WANT me though! I went in to get him and there he was, as I left him. Snuggled in the caregivers arms waiting for his Mommy to return. He sniffed and groaned at me then clung to me like a monkey. In fact he really hasn’t let go since. Even at the library this morning, a place he is very comfortable with and plays at twice a week, he dared not to let go of my leg, arm, any part he could hold. The caregiver at the nursery said that he stopped crying but never let go of her. Opted to rest her head on her shoulder and wait. What a boy! How I love him.

Becca is not feeling very well. In fact for over a week now she has lost her mind. She is spacey, unable to concentrate, cannot complete daily tasks without full supervision and is having potty accidents almost daily. I have no idea what is up with her. Last week we thought it may be due to the fact that J was leaving early for work everyday. This week, she has continued to be “off”. It is strange and I am trying to be patient…Last night she woke up crying, saying she was sick, but would not be consoled at all. Finally I picked her up and rocked her till she calmed down and she willingly returned to bed. I have never had to do something like that for her. I am so hoping whatever is up will disappear soon. Life has become unpredictable and frustrating for all of us.

I have been knitting a little. Just enough to keep a project going. Not knitting makes me cranky but I do not have the time to commit to anything specific. Maybe I should knit a blanket, something huge and mindless. I did complete another bear for a friend in California that had an adorable baby boy. Bears are fun to knit. I was not a huge fan of the pattern I used even though it was in the round this time. The stitches ended up messy.

Web designs have been completed and have gone live lately too. Some of you have seen Much More Than a Mom and The Opinionated Parent,both redesigns were fun to work on and turned out pretty good (if I do say so myself! hehe). I also finished up a blog design for MomEcentric, that turned out wonderful once we conquered hosting issues and other oddities. I feel so giddy when I see designs that I have created live. I hope the recipients are just as happy with the work. Working form home is such a major challenge, but I love creating so much it is worth the imbalance for short bursts. Maybe someday I can work part time from home designing blogs. A girl can dream.

See crazy busy-ness. Crazy.

So it is not housework keeping me from blogging …

My cute and cuddly, almost one year old (I am trying to convince myself that is really true) is most definitely cutting molars and has a runny nose and cough. He a HUGE snuggle bug when he is not feeling well, so that keeps me from typing a little (I usually pre-read all blog posts in Reader, then comment when I can).

All that car business did not help. The adjuster came yesterday … they are fixing it! w00t. May the cursed car run (just to spite me really) for another few years. Somehow I knew that was not the last we would see of our car “Crush” (so nicknamed after the first accident *sigh*) That puts us back on the saving for the house down payment/fees track! WooHoo!

This little guy has kept me a little busy. I knit him up, with some cotton I had on hand. One of my cousins just had an adorable baby boy that will be receiving this little guy, despite the protests from both my kids (really should knit my own kids a bear eh?) It was a fun project to knit up, but I want to try another pattern that is done in the round more … this was a lot of seaming … A LOT … Does it look like one ear is bigger than the other? I think I lost count and added one extra row … It is character … yeah like on purpose. pfft.

I also finished a new book bag for Becca (just need to seam it .. see an anti-seam pattern here?) She actually wore her other one out! I knit this one so that it would fit 5 picture books comfortably and therefore Becca would be able to carry it herself …. I am a sneaky one Becca is most excited to use it (once I finish it!)

I have been reading a lot. My super great pal from Harper Collins has sent me some fabulous books as of late, keeping me up past my bedtime, therefore less time for blogging, and a little groggy.

When I received “Just Tell Me What to Say” by Betsy Brown Braun, I immediately flipped to the chapter on death. CRAP I totally screwed up. So then I start reading about siblings … ha yup messed that up too (please note the author does not have a condescending tone or anything, I am merely being dramatic for effect). I have never come across a parenting book that I agree with every principle from cover to cover, however I really enjoyed the layout and many of her suggestions. For example, the author is very clear, not to get involved in sibling squabbles. I had noticed I was always “Becca … Becca … Becca what’s going on?” A lot of the time it was not “Becca”, rather Ethan being a turd, however naming the older sibling places that accusation on them, if you mean it or not. I have stopped intervening (although when one may lose a limb,I do step in) and the children are actually getting along better. Betsy Brown Braun has some awesome examples on how to say stuff to the kids. Sometimes it is all in the presentation. Great resource for any parent grasping at what to say (aren’t we all?)

In the same package, I received “Party Basics for New Nesters” by Maria McBride. I cannot actually profess to be a new nester by definition, however I have newly nested here, so I cracked open the book. I was greeted with amazing photos of fabulous and slyly do-able party entertaining themes and ideas! Her approach to decorating and entertaining on even my budget was delightful. Did I mention the photos are amazing? I am so tapping into my creative side and this book has been an inspiration (when not distracted by car woes). McBride’s introduction was perfect for a beginner, like myself, describing what every pantry should have and why. By dividing up the year into themes, it gives the reader a sense of anticipation, longing to attempt the “Canned Daisies” during “Spring Fling”. There are simple yet yummy sounding recipes, decorating and style guides throughout. Definitely a book that encourages the reader to jump beyond and try new things.

I have one more title from HarperCollins that I am eagerly reading at the moment. In fact I am devouring the book, enjoying it throughly. I look forward to sharing my thoughts on it in the very near future.

One more thing before you can share you thoughts with me, with a lovely comment that will stroke my ever hungry ego hint hint, if you are not reading and participating over at the Opinionated Parent, you really should. I just won the cutest T from RevoBaby (come back tomorrow for Wordless Wednesday), through the Opinionated Parent … not that I want competition in the contests, just they are seriously awesome contests!

I apologize for the lack of posting.

I have a lot going on in my head and my world.

I am very tired.

In other news, my laptop DIED last night. Three years of hard core usage and she is showing signs of wearing out.  We are hoping it*just* overheated. I am calling Apple today, since the sexy beast is still under Applecare protection. I was so proud of me. I did not completely loss my mind when the computer collapsed in a heap of mush. There were some tears and I thought my heart might explode, but I did not completely lose it.

Ethan crawled up three stairs at the library.  Go apartment baby!

Becca painted for over an Hour yesterday .. the girl has an amazing attention span as of late.

I have been knitting … a lot. Not taking pictures of said knitting, yet. Why do I feel like there is still so much to do and I just cannot get a handle on it all?

Are we ever just done? Caught up and dare I say, bored? Or does that just like never happen as a parent?