Today was one of those magical days, filled with snowmen (even a snowcat), baked cookies, hot chocolate and time well spent together.

We had a snow storm last night that left us with just enough snow, of the sticky sort to roll some snowmen! Our neighbor had started before we headed out this morning and the kids had a blast playing with her. She has to be the coolest 12 year old ever! She always plays and entertains the kids with her amazing ideas.

Cordelia even came out, riding on my back. Hurray for babywearing! She was all comfy and cozy, giggling like crazy at the kids and the neighbor’s dog that came out to play. It was fun to be able to include her.

This afternoon, as I stitched like mad to finish up some Christmas presents we are delivering tomorrow to friends, J & Becca baked up some cookies for us to share. Ethan and Cordelia kept me company and I finally completed the handmade gifts. I hope the kids like them. I get so nervous! Hopefully before we head out tomorrow I can take some pictures (’cause you know I still have to wrap them!)

It was truly a great day.

Tomorrow we head to friends and J escapes to work for a few hours. I am so excited for Christmas this year. We have our three amazing children, each other, a great house and so so much love.

Are you ready for the holidays? Enjoying the time so far?

Can you believe it? Already! The girl is growing up way too fast for my liking. Thankfully she takes after her big sister and the tooth appeared without pain and suffering (unlike her older brother, he was tortured by teething!) It is the right tooth on the bottom that has broken threw but not up yet.

It is cold here. -20 C with the wind chill (and that so totally counts when walking to school!) I am so excited that today was the last day of school! YAY Christmas holidays.

I knit a pair of Bella Mittens for Ms B, Becca’s teacher. I hope the mittens will keep her hands toasty! I am still in the process of knitting, sewing and the like for Christmas. I am so not leaving it this late next year.

Ethan has not been feeling well as of late. He is very clingy, sensitive and teeters on the edge of crying a lot. It is so not like him. I am hoping it will pass soon.

The kids are beyond excited for Christmas. I can hardly wait to have everyone home, celebrating the season together. Times seems so precious.

It however, all quickly approaching the big DAY! I am sadly disorganized. I am knitting, sewing wrapping, humming, cleaning, cooking, baking (hopefully soon) all in a frenzy. I call it Christmas High. It is fun and stressful.

I vow not to leave so much to the month of December.

I want to be able to sit back and enjoy the season with the kids rather than feeling frenzied.

This is Becca’s last week till her Christmas vacation starts. I can hardly wait to have her home! Two weeks of all of us being together, going for walks, reading, playing and enjoying each other. J will be able to take some time off too so it is an extra bonus.

Are you still creating presents for Christmas? Still shopping?

The weather here is fabulous, the kids are finally in recovery mode and we were able to enjoy Becca’s day home from school.

We spent the entire morning outside. I knitted feverishly, completing a project that will be on it’s way to New Zealand, along with some Canadian/North American candy and chocolate!  I have to say this is the best exchange ever! I get CANDY!

Once I finished knitting, the kids and I ran around the yard, playing hide and seek, tag and rolling about in our damp grass and leaves. The giggles echoed through our neighborhood, filling my heart.

After nap time, we all got ready, pick up J from work and headed to a park to take pictures for our Christmas card. I received a groovy remote for my camera on our anniversary, so we were all able to be in the picture for a change! Once the photos were taken, the five of us once again ran about, playing hide and seek, enjoying the warm weather.

I so needed a good day. I so needed an evening curled up with my five year old reading to me. I so needed to watch my two year old run free. I so needed to cuddle our 3 month old as we hide behind the car, waiting to be discovered.

I needed to be free of illness. To be carefree. Today.

THEN

We can have the baby

I have had such intense cramping the past few days. I have walked, bathed and tried everything to relieve the pressure and cramps. Nothing worked! I keep moaning to J that this all “BETTER BE … helping” in hopes that all this discomfort will make labour easier. Wishful thinking.

This week has flown by. Becca had a fun birthday, but is very much looking forward to her party. We went shopping for supplies and the like before heading to the doctor on Wednesday. She had her check up and vaccinations. She is the height and weight of a 7-8 year old! Ethan was also weighed and measured. He is not in the 97th percentile like his sister but he is doing alright. I fret a lot about his health since he eats so much less than Becca. The doctor assured me that he was fine.

We have been enjoying the partially sunny days and spending a lot of time outside. It gives me a chance to sit and relax, not force myself to get things done. So I am knitting a lot. I finished a pair of mittens that I hope to give to our Doula (if she can make it to the birth!) They are soooo cute I can hardly wait to knit another pair for myself! They are called Bella Mittens! Aren’t they awesome?!?! I have an awesome toque on the needles for J … I look forward to revealing them to you!

I have been reading the Harry Potter books, in hopes that J & I can sneak out and see the movie this weekend Have you seen it? Going to?

Neither happened. Instead I am sore and crampy. w00t. Yet oddly content and not feeling all that tired. It is sunny outside which helps the mood. The kids have been relatively well behaved and really I would rather wait a week before going into labour anyway.

At this point we would be throwing our children at our neighbors, calling friends in a panic hoping that someone was able to care for them while I gave birth. Next week, my bff will be home from her vacation and J’s mom will be coming to town in just over  a week. Little easier not to worry about the kids next week.

AND I am still knitting up my doula’s thank you gift, have to plan a very special little girl’s fifth birthday party AND have some shopping to do. Who wants to go into labour without funky socks and fuzzy slippers for afterward?!?!

Yet there is a small part of me that is so eager to hold this little girl, smell that newborn smell, go through labour naturally, experience the birth of our child together with my husband … like now.

I will be sure to keep you all updated. I really do not think this is the begginning of anything “real” but what do I know I have never gone into labour without being induced.

What do you think? Am I going early? Just a crampy gal?  Did you cramp a lot before the big day?

ps The blanket yesterday … Yes I quilted that! It is from Little Stitches by Amy Butler. I am not a fan of the colours, but I purchased the fabric (with great difficulty) when we were unsure of the gender. It is a play mat since our upstairs is all hardwood.

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?

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 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.

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!