I was determined to go swimming last night. I packed my bag and psyched myself up, even though the pool had posted the water temperature to be really cold. Thing is the timing stinks. The lane swimming starts when my kids are eating snack, then they are off to brush their teeth, bedtime story then tucked in. I am not prepared to miss that yet. In the summer, their bedtime was later, so I had time to swim before their nighttime routine started. ugh.

So instead, last night I walked to the library and back. It is about 3 km round trip, the kicker is that it is all up hill to the library. My thighs and buttocks were screaming at me! It felt great to get out there! I was over dressed even! I may have to modify the resolution to exercise 3 times a week rather than just swimming.

Ethan is down to nursing once a day. It was causing me so much pain to nurse him, that over the Christmas holidays, we weaned him of his afternoon nurse before nap. Now, although grumpily he snuggles with myself (or J) and falls asleep. He is growing, talking and changing so fast this last month. His strength and agility has skyrocketed since moving into the house. New challenges and snow pants have really helped him. He actually enjoyed MOPS yesterday. After he screamed intially he had fun playing with the other toddlers.

Becca is awesome. She loved going to kiddie aquatics yesterday, although she was disappointed that Ethan and I would not be there to watch her swim. I am the one of the only moms that stays to watch, but it means so much to her. Yesterday she knew Ethan & I were going to MOPS, so lived through our absence. She is so smart and comprhends so much, yet resists learning words and writing. Anytime I try to show her anything she is determined to do her own thing.

We are off to the library this morning. We all really missed going regularly over the holidays. Is your first week back to the grind super busy? We have appointments, classes, errands and so much to do!

Phew! That was quite the storm we had. After over 30 cm fell with winds gusting and drifts building, we have sunny (but cold) skies today. The kids & I went outside while J plowed through the snow with his trusty shovel. We only have one shovel so I was stuck taking pictures I think later today J is going out to buy another shovel, hehe!

The kids do so well out in the snow. I thought my kids were water babies, but I am beginning to think they are snow babies! Oddly Becca eats a lot of it. Despite our dire warnings not to eat any yellow snow! Ethan putters about in the less snow covered areas, as he still gets stranded if the snow gets too deep!

Once J was done shoveling there was the perfect little hill for sledding. Sadly Ethan was frozen and ready to go inside, however Becca remained out, sledding for another half an hour! I love my house! I love my yard! We live in the side of a hill, making it perfect for adventure.

I forgot to mention yesterday that I am hosting a great contest over at Being Savvy Halifax, that you should all enter. I always have the hope that it will be a reader of mine that wins!

2009. Will it be as exciting as 2008? Only time will tell I suppose.

We were so excited to host our first house party, scheduled for last night, however illness and weather cancelled the plans J & I are both still sick. I am napping everyday (not sure how I will survive the days once J returns to work). I just could not muster up enough energy to be a good hostess. Becca was so disappointed. She was so ready to party! We have all the supplies so I am hoping once this blizzard has passed and we are feeling better we will host a great shin-dig.

Instead, J & I in our PJ’s with kleenex near by, snuggled up and watched a movie. It was a peaceful way to ring in the New Year.

I have been thinking about New Year’s resolutions a lot the past few days. Once again I find myself thinking that I need only make it through the year and I will have achieved greatness. However, I think there are a few things I would like to do.

I want to start swimming again. This pregnancy is kicking my butt, so I hope to counter that and get some exercise. Twice a week, with a couple walks once the wweather improves will make such a difference.

I want to work on my designing skills more. I love creating. I love the challenge. I want to devote a little more time to it. I have a cople projects in the fire right now, and then I would like to create a new theme for this site. The current theme is a recycled theme from a year and a half ago or so. I could not bear to look at the holiday theme, post holidays but did not finish another project first … so what was old is new again

I want to continue writing, hopefully growing as a writer and get some confidence in it. My biggest obsticle is the lack of faith in myself.

I want to have a natural birth. I received some good news from my family doctor that I more than likely will not have to be induced (different practises for different areas), so I hope to have a wonderful experience for my last birth.

I want to continue being a patient and understanding parent. I am far from perfect and have many faults that I would like to eliminate, or at least improve  upon. My children are amazing creatures that deserve the very best from me.

Once last want … I want to take more pictures and film of the children. I have been so in the moment as of late, that I have not taken any pictures and video is always lacking. They are growing and changing so fast, I do not want to miss a thing!

I look forward to experiencing the New Year with you all. Do you make New Years Resolutions?

Wow.

I wrote about my feelings concerning Christmas on the Being Savvy Halifax blog, it was an amazing day, one I hope I never forget. I am deliriously happy. My family is content and full of glee.

I was so spoiled. My husband is evil and told me … demanded that I not spend money on him. The house, the family it is all he wants for Christmas. So I purchased a few shirts so he is hip at work, a new video game and a couple new books to read. Nothing overly thoughtful or amazing, just nice sweet gifts.

Then he totally spoils me! Grrr! I am forever grateful and my inner diva is delighted but I have this awful feeling that I did not put enough of myself into his Christmas. My sweet husband disagrees but he is sweet and nice and I love him!

I have so many things to be thankful for. The amazing pile of gorgeous books waiting for me to read, content children that adored all that they received, an amazing house that totally, completely feels like home. Perfect.

Were your holidays fabulous?