He Sleeps!!!!

A couple nights after I returned from my vacation, DH and I had had enough of Budderoo waking up SO early and wanting us to take him to bed with us - so we let him cry it out. It only took 1/2 hr of him crying and then he was asleep - so I said "Can we handle 1/2hr of crying through the night"

And so it began...the CIO phase of our sleep training. The first few nights were ROUGH! Budderoo would wake up and scream cry for close to an hour - I would go to his door and say "night night, buddy" and close the door to his crying. He eventually fell back asleep. And...
a week or so later...

HE SLEEPS!!!!


He is sleeping through the night, from about 8:15pm - 6:30 when he hears DH in the shower. I am so proud of him - and wonder "why didn't I do this sooner"?
HOORAY FOR SLEEP!!!!

A Break for Mama

Wow, it's been a while since I have last blogged. I have been so busy with the kids and work - I have neglected my blog. =(
This past week, I was able to spend a week on the beach with my sister, Jennie.



On November 13, my sister and I boarded a plane for a week in sunny and hot Punta Cana. It was quite hard for me to leave DH and the kids but felt I really needed a break - a little time for ME! We stayed at the RIU Bambu. The resort was very nice, the beach AMAZING! The best I have ever seen (on any of our Caribbean vacations, anyway)



We spent the whole week, lounging on the beach or by the pool, reading (I finished 3 books in 3 days), drinking (so many lovely fruity drinks!!!) and resting.



I had a great time away - it was nice to spend some time for me. Sleeping in a bed by myself, sleeping until I wanted, and just getting some much needed rest. I felt guilty for spending a week away from my family {{spending time on me, made me feel selfish}} But I'm so glad I did it - I feel refreshed and "recharged" and although I missed my hubby and kids SO much - absence makes the heart grow fonder. Being away for a week made me appreciate my family so much more - even though I didn't think I could love and appreciate them more than I already did.

By the 20th, I was so ready to get home and scoop up my kids and hug them for hours! We arrived home on the 21st at 4am. I walked into the house and found this:

It made me teary - I wanted everyone to wake up so I could hug them. DH heard me come home, and eventually HoneyPie heard us talking and woke up too - I held her so tightly and we snuggled in the spare room until morning. When Budderoo saw me when he woke up, he screamed and yelled "MAMA!" It was just awesome.
Their reactions to my being home made me being away so much better! It was the most wonderful feeling to see them after a week away.

It's About Time!

I love the magazine Glamour...and last month, many of you may have seen it, a photo of Lizzie Miller, a plus-sized model (said to be a size 12) was shown on page 194...a 3"x3" photo that has left the fashion world gabbing...and thankfully most reactions have been positive.

I remember first seeing this photo, and I said to DH, "Look at her, how awesome...and see, she even has a belly like mine" A little loose and hangy...mine from carrying 2 large babies and delivering them by c-sections. What a beautiful photo - of a beautiful woman.

After readers came across this photo, Glamour was hit with thousands of e-mails "They were filled with such joy–joy at seeing a woman’s body with all the curves and quirks and rolls found in nature. (Raising a question: With all the six-packs out there, do you even know what a normal belly looks like anymore–other than the one you see in the mirror?)"

And really, how many of us have been that girl? I know I have, flipping through magazines trying to find just one person who looked a little bit like me. And when I don't find it I start to think there’s something wrong with the way that I look. For decades, magazines have featured models who are sizes 0 or 2...which in turn makes the average young girl / woman look at their own bodies with disgust, hatred and envy...to be as beautiful as the models shown in fashion magazines.

When I picked up the new issue of Glamour last night I was so happy...inside was something that I have never seen in a magazine before. After all of the positive reaction of Lizzie's picture, Glamour has been making the effort to push the boundaries of accepted beauty norms this month with a photo shoot featuring all plus-sized models...in the nude!!!!!

BEAUTIFUL!!!!

It's about time we see women who look more like the average woman, And Glamour has vowed to push forward by sending this message to young women especially those who are reading their magazine :
There are a million different ways to be beautiful. You don't have to be born pin thin. Whether you're voluptuous or lean, however you're made is the right way for you.

The simplest way to change the outlook on body confidence is to judge one another, and ourselves, less. Let’s start that change right now.


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CIO = Tired Parents

I'm not sure how long I have been catering to Budderoo's bad sleep habits. He has never been a good sleeper - As a newborn, he was up often to nurse...as he got older, he would wake through the night just for a cuddle...and now as a toddler, he wakes through the night to come and sleep with me. And it's my own fault!

Like I said, I don't know when this first started, it's been a while - one night, so long ago, I was just so tired from being up with him what felt like a million times through the night, I decided to bring him in with me in the spare bed - and the rest is history. He goes to bed pretty well...and then around 1230, he wakes up and cries screams until I bring him in with me. Once he is in the bed with me, he sleeps great!

I have tried a few times to let him cry it out (CIO) and see if he'll fall back asleep on his own - but this in turn wakes HoneyPie, making for a very tired and grumpy girl on days she has school. I just can't leave him to cry for long - it breaks my heart...and would rather all of us get some sleep.

Last night, Budderoo woke up around 12:20 and I headed to get him...DH said "STOP! I'll deal with him, don't get him - let's let him CIO"...so I headed back to bed, and DH tried to get him back to sleep for a long time. Budderoo is stubborn...he cried for a good 45 minutes. You just think he's asleep, goes a bit quiet...and then back to screaming again. So, about 1:10, DH brought him in with him. Perhaps if we keep trying this, the duration of his crying will decrease, and he will eventually fall back asleep on his own.

I wish I never had gotten into the habit, but having 4-5 kids in my home throughout the day, being an exhausted parent/caregiver just isn't an option....and it's not just me, who was exhausted...DH was tired at work, HoneyPie was tired throughout the day. We all just needed a good night's sleep, and if bringing him with me helped us to obtain that - even if it was the worst choice!

One good thing about letting him CIO last night - - we finally know that he can, in fact, say "mama" - which he refuses to do when asked - he was crying and calling my name. Made me feel good - he's been calling both DH and I "daddeeeee" for a while. LOL

Thanks, T for helping out last night - you are the best!

She Doesn't Need Me Anymore!

Last night, we went to a movie night at HoneyPie's school. It was so much fun - sleeping bags and pillows huddled on the gym floor watching Monsters Vs. Aliens. It was such a great atmosphere - we had a super fun time.

About half way through the movie, HoneyPie announced that she had to go the bathroom. So - we headed out and I asked her to show me where the bathroom was - she led me half way around the school to the "big girl bathroom" - I was so proud that she was able to show me where it was, after only a few days at school...but then...

She heads into the stall and says - "I'm a big girl, Mommy - I'll go in and you stay out here" and proceeds to go in and lock the door. OMG! This is a big step.

I don't like this growing up idea!

Weight Loss Wednesday

Since it is the last day of September...and it's a Wednesday...and because it's been months since I've updated my weight loss posts...I figured I'd close out the month with a weight loss thread.

Sadly, since my last post - where I excitedly hit 20lbs - I haven't really done that well. Over the summer, I indulged a lot and didn't lose too much. I finally hit 25 pounds lost and was thrilled...but then I was up and down, up and down...so after a slight "up" tonight, I am only at 23lbs lost.

My leader tells us that we shouldn't say "I've ONLY lost _____" It is a big accomplishment to have lost anything.I have been so angry at myself for cheating, but then still have been - not tracking, cheating and not exercising as much as I should.

A few weeks ago, I started an hour power walking class with my SIL, Cassandra. The first week kicked my ass. Oh my God, I couldn't walk for a couple days...and trying to get up and down the stairs was just ridiculous. It is a great class that incorporates power walking with strength exercises all while carrying 2 or 3lbs hand weights. Although this is more exercising than I have been doing - it's not enough....

So I am vowing to.

* move more...exercise more during the week
* track every day...every bite I take WILL be written down in my journal
* stop being so hard on myself...I have a lot of difficulty being angry at other people, but it is SO easy to be angry at myself. Any weight loss is a good thing - even if it is ONLY a few ounces...at least it's something
* stop using the word ONLY...and be proud of myself for any loss.


I will try and update again every week - and hopefully, next week I will have a good loss to report.
Also - a big congrats to my WW buddy, Christine who lost 3lbs this week. WAY TO GO, GIRL!

Proud

With HoneyPie starting JK this past week, I have been anxious about how she is doing. I drop her off in the morning and she is so excited to get there I have to call her back for a hug and a kiss, and when I got and pick her up, she is happy and excited to see Budderoo and I. But I wonder, what is she like during the day...I would love to be a fly on the wall to watch her in action.

I spoke to her teacher this afternoon just to see how she is doing. The teacher said that "she is doing amazing", "she is a very bright girl, you have taught her well", "the only thing is, she doesn't like to sit on her bum at carpet time, she sits on her knees making it hard for the kids behind her to see". Ahhh! If that is the only thing, I am thrilled. I was so happy to hear that she is doing well...we walked home hand in hand and I told her the wonderful things her teacher said about her.
We were both so proud of HER!

So Long Summer

Why does summer always go so quickly? The older we get, the faster time seems to be going.

We had a wonderful summer - some fun day trips, our HoneyPie's 4th birthday, a great week at the cottage despite the weather.

DH left on July 2nd for Sweden. His best friend, Sean, was getting married there. Sean moved there a while back to play pro volleyball...and there he met Hanna. DH was the best man - and was so excited to be able to stand up beside Sean at his wedding, but also to be able to tour Europe. Flying in to London, a day there with his cousin Brenda, and then on to Copenhagen where he met Sean and his future brother-in-law...then on to Sweden. He had a great time - we missed him terribly. I always have a hard time if he is travelling in a different time zone - but the time difference was huge. We'd call him after nap and he was getting ready for bed. 11 days was so long - we were so excited to see him at the airport! The kids reaction was priceless, I wish I would've gotten it on film.

When I was pregnant with Budderoo, I joined the March 2008 birth club on babycentre.ca - there I met a wonderful group of ladies, all over Canada, who were all due in March. We soon became online friends, chatting daily about our pregnancies, our births, our newborns and now our active toddlers. This July, we arranged a picnic for all of the moms in our area. Although only 5 of us could make it...it was so much fun to finally meet in person the wonderful ladies that I've shared my stories with the past 2 years. I hope we can do it again next summer.


On July 16th, we lost our dear friend, Sharon - our wonderful neighbour, who fought so hard for 2 years, lost her battle with cancer. Although we only knew her and her family for 1 year, we knew how amazing she was - the mother of 3 awesome children, a wife, a sister, a daughter...a friend. She is missed by so many - we were extremely saddened by her passing, but comforted by the thought that she is no longer suffering. We miss her everyday.

As I mentioned in my previous post, HoneyPie turned "4"! WOW!

We spent a week at the cottage that my family has rented since 1988. Shady Nook cottages in Sundridge, Ontario. I LOVE it there - as a child, I looked forward to our week away - my cottage friends, the lake - and now spending a week there with my own family as well as my parents and sister is great. Making fun memories with my kids on the same beach I spent so many days and nights playing on. The week we were there, sadly wasn't the greatest weather wise - but we had a great time anyway. On one gloomy day, we took the kids to Santa's Village in Bracebridge - so much fun!!!!
Fun on the tire swing


Santa's Village - riding the train


We spent a great day at the CNE the last weekend of summer. The kids had a great time - so did DH - he has discovered that he loves him a good air show. DH and HoneyPie had a ball playing this bowling game - seriously, can anyone ever win at this game?


We had tons of fun - the closing of the CNE always means the end of summer doesn't it?

So sadly, I say goodbye to:
* flip flops * sandals * tank tops * splash pads * sprinkler fun
* hot sunny days * sunny evenings * the beach

Hate to see summer go....but
BRING ON, FALL!

Look out Kindergarten...here she comes!

I cannot believe my little girl is starting kindergarten.

September 15, 2009

Today is her first full day - this week she has had 2 visiting days (1hr and a 2.5hour)...but today is THE DAY. 9:00 - 3:05...with lunch at school. HoneyPie has been home with me since she was born, with doing home daycare she has been exposed to other kids, but really hasn't had much experience with childcare/school outside of the home.
During the summer I signed her up for a program that was for children who hadn't been to daycare before - she did great. She loved being at school.

So, this morning, DH, Budderoo and my daycare children, walked her over to her first full day - she was pumped. She wanted to leave the moment she woke up. We took some photos outside and were ready to leave...uh oh, it was only 8:35. We were so excited to get there.


DH and HoneyPie before heading to school

Once at the gate, a little early, HoneyPie entered the kindergarten playground...and had to be called back for a hug and a kiss - she was so excited, she forgot to say good-bye to us. She ran back, gave a quick kiss to all of us and headed back in - and jumped right in line. We waited for her to go in and then I headed home and DH headed to work.

I will admit, I was a little teary walking away - but wasn't as sad as I thought I'd be. I am just so excited for her - I think she is going to do great. I can't wait for 3:05, when I can pick her up and give her a huge hug. C'mon 3:05!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary to "US"

7 years ago today, I married my best friend in the whole world. I still remember every detail about that day. The way I felt - how excited I was to be marrying the man of my dreams. My DH was then, and is now - the most amazing man I have ever met - the love he shows me every day takes my breath away. He makes me feel beautiful even when I am in my comfy pants and a t-shirt. I'm amazed that even after all of this time, he looks at me with such love and passion. I am so thankful that I met him all those years ago and have experienced this wonderful love story. I have never been happier and it's all because of my DH. He has given me so much - including our 2 beautiful children. He is supportive of everything I do, he loves me unconditionally no matter what.




Us with our very best friends

TRUE LOVE


T:
There are not enough words to tell you just how much I love you. I can't imagine my life without you. My love for you is never-ending and I cherish all the wonderful moments we have had over the last 7 years of marriage....and there have been SO many. I love you!