Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens- Louis Armstrong

Well Lucas slept through most of the night again last night. He awoke at 5 but went back down after a feeding till 7. He was quite mad at his morning nap. I don't know why but he just wouldn't give into the sleep. Anyway finally he did, and I was stressed but I didn't think it was approriate to open a bottle of wine at 10am. =) So instead I did some deep yoga breathing. We also went to the offleash today and Emma just loves it there. It gets to the point that she's so tired she just lays down. Although Lucas doesn't seem to like the sun in his eyes. I think I'll have to go out and buy him a new ball cap, or a hat with a wide brim.

So as mothering goes, I'd like to think I'm pretty easy going when it comes to what Lucas can do. I'm not fanatical about germs or what he puts in his mouth (I can just imagine the Grandma's cringing right now=). So when we are at the computer he often plays around with the mouse. He loves in becuase he knows I like the mouse too. Since he has begun playing with it, I have learned so many things my computer can do. Imagine what crazy clicking and dragging can teach you. Of course sometimes I also lose short cuts to stuff, but most of the time I know how to put it back.

Last night I made this good, and easy south west chicken gumbo thing. I'll post the recipie becuase it was pretty good, and if you're like me I"m always looking for a good but easy recipie

4 frozen chicken breast
1 can of corn
1 can of black beans
1 jar of salsa

Cook that in the slow cooker all day on low or 4-5 hours on high.

1/2 hour before serving add a package of cream cheese.

That's it and it's pretty good. I served ours in tortilla shells, but you could also do it over rice. Mom and Dad enjoyed it as well, so you can also take their word for it.

No guesses for yesterday, so I won't post the answer quite yet. I'll give it another day or two.

Here's today's picture Where in the World is Mo? Sorry mo, you can't guess, but let's get Allison involved, so Allison can guess.....



This picture is amazing and could totally be a postcard.

Till Tommorrow

Jenn

Lullabye, Goodnight My Angel- Billy Joel (which is a great song!)

Well getting up 3 times last night was so hard. Lucas had slept through the night for 5 nights in a row. I thought (and was hoping) that was going to be the new normal. Hence I was wrong, you should never get your hopes up. Nor should I ever use the word hence again. =) I'm not sure what was wrong last night but he didn't seem happy. Of course then he sleeps in a little (8am) and then our day is a little out of whack. Becuase he woke up at 8 I put him down at 10ish, but I think that was too late and then he fought sleep tooth and nail. Anyway we made it through and he went down well for his afternoon nap.

Took him into SAIT today, since I had to drop off my contract. My students seemed to be quite happy to see him. So was Donna. It was good to see her too and she didn't seem completly exhausted, which I thought she might with the amount she is teaching. Then we headed off to the chiropractor and she made me all moveable again. It's interesting what different muscles are affected when your activites involve carrying around a child rather then being a teacher.

Watched the Superbowl yesterday, a fairly good game from my amateur opionion. Also enjoyed a good episode of Grey's Anatomy, but it will be to bed early for me tonight.

Onto the game.....

Yes the picture is of Darryl and I at the Eiffel Tower. The real one, not the Las Vegas one.

Yes the anonoymous poster got it right about Darryl and Emma at Allen Bill Pond and when we were there a couple weeks ago, it still wasn't frozen yet. So probably have to skip it this year. But I do love this picture. It's funny to see Emma pulling Darryl. Maybe next Sunday we will go skating as our family thing. I'm not sure if they have anything to put Lucas in at the oval, but we could always take the sleigh downtown....

Anyhoo, here's today's picture



It is kind of a hard picture, so the hint is..... It's in Italy. And there are lots of pigeons there.

Till Tommorrow

Jenn

Ode to My Family- Cranberries

Well Sundays have become my favorite day of the week. A couple of weeks ago we decided that on Sundays we would do something as a family. Saturday we could go our seperate ways and take turns taking care of Lucas, but Sundays was our family day. We could always do things with other people but we defintly had to do something together. For family day today we went to the zoo. It's amazing that all these animals are right here in Calgary. I have an annual pass and Lucas is free so it was fairly cheap for us to go. The animals are quite active in the winter as well, so it was lots of fun.

I just went upstairs to check on Lucas, when I put him down for his afternoon nap hee wasn't super tired (as in he didn't fall right asleep) but he was rubbing his eyes down stairs. Just went up to check on him and he's asleep on his tummy. My other favorite guy Darryl is also asleep, but on his back. Anyway when I went into Lucas's room I don't breather, just to be sure I don't wake him up. It's actually a subconsious thing. It reminds me of when I was a kid and my mom would come and check on my to be sure I was sleeping, I would hold my breath, becuase I thought you didn't breather when you slept. I'm surprised it never freaked my mom out.

Went on our first "date" last night. It was fun. One of the greatest parts of having children is being able to act like a kid, but it was fun to be an adult for a night again.

Here's today picture for "Where in the World are Darryl and Emma" If you don't live in Calgary you may have trouble with this one, but I'm trying to break up the Europe pics.



Till Tommorrow

Jenn

Be Sure To Wear Flowers in Your Hair- Scott McKenzie

Well Lucas is getting his teeth. I can see one of his little bottom teeth starting to poke through. Plus he has been quite upset the last two days. I have given him tylenol today as well. I'm not a big believer in medicating him whenever he cries, but it's so difficult when he can't talk to me. Plus I can see the tooth, so I'm guessing that's the problem.

He did sleep through the night again last night.... we are on 4 nights in a row. So I asked my parents to come and watch him tonight, so Darryl and I can have our first real date night. They watched him at New Years when we went to Tammy and Pat's, but this time it'll be just us, and we'll be driving in the car. Lucas has also gone down well for naps today.

I went and got my hair done this morning. I had a really good experience. My usual hair dresser is also on maternity leave so I had someone new, and it was a man. For those of you who don't know this, generally I prefer women rather then men. I mean I love Darryl, and there are some good men out there, but if you offered me a room of women or a room of men to walk into, I'd for sure pick the room of women. Anyway I get there and the guy looks like Mr. Clean, execept for an earring in his nose and two in his ear. So my first impression is not the best. Anyway he was so nice. And I got a great hair cut. He let me talk about Lucas, and asked questions, he talked about his neice and nephew. I was amazed. Plus I love it when my assumptions are put into question. It makes me a better person. Anyhoo and, for today I have straight hair.

We have started feeding Lucas squash, and he quite enjoys it. I'm glad becuase he didn't like the green beans or the bananas and I was worried he wasn't going to like food, which is totally irrational becuase what, he going to just drink milk for the rest of his life. Speaking of milk, I have decided that I am going to continue with the slow weaning. As in I'm going to try this way for a couple of months. So two of his feedings will be breast feeding and two of his feedings will be formula. Plus the cereal and regular food he is starting for breakfast and dinner. Hopefully this will work out.

Okie Dokie, on with the game. The picture two days ago was Darryl and I at Trevi Fountain, it is so so beautiful there. That night we did a walk around the city saw a bunch of square, Panthenon, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. Once we got to the Spanish Steps we were going to take the subway home, but it had closed for the night so we had to walk back. Ahhh..... it was very long and I was quite pregnant. That night we also went to a place for dinner where there are no menus. You just ate whatever they brought you.

The picture yesterday was of Alexis at the Bellagio, the same spot where Julia Roberts stood in Oceans 11. I highly recommend seeing the water show at the Bellagio if you ever go to Las Vegas, it is amazing. I think even little Lucas will love it.

Okay here's today's easy picture Where in the World are Jenn and Darryl?



Till Tommorrow

Jenn

Talk- Coldplay

Today is one of the days I wish Lucas could talk. I wish he could tell me what's wrong, is it teething, sleepy, hungry. The problem is that any of those options are plausible. Oh well, he's down for a nap now and not crying, so that's nice. I have given him some tylenol, so hopefully that will kick in and if he's still hungry maybe I'll try a bottle later this afternoon. Poor little guy, he's just been whining all day. I'm not sure if I screwed him up with taking him out this morning, rather then letting him nap at home. Or if my supply is low after two night's of sleep through the night. Maybe I'll call health link and see if they have any advice about supply. Hopefully a good nap and the rest of the day will be better.

We are also looking into daycare for Emma when we go away. We are looking into Pet Planet and it seems like a vacation for her. Turn down service with biscuits on the pillow, swim time and pedicures. Sounds like she'll be living the life of luxury.

Last night Tammy and I scrapbooked. It was fun and I feel like I'm getting stuff acomplished, which is nice. I'm not very picky about my scrapbooking, I'm just glad to be getting it done. Lucas has about 10 pages already. I do take alot of pictures of him.

For the game today here's our picture: Where in the World is Alexis? (so even Darryl can play this one)



The hint is it's not in Europe, but a place you can find Paris and Venice......

Anyway I'm going to go enjoy some tea while the little man sleeps.

Till Tommorrow

Jenn

Fortunate Fool; Jack Johnson

Yeah to Mo and Lori!! It is the Coliseium in Rome. I'm so so happy you are playing!! Good guessing, I'll make today's a little bit harder. I have some hard ones and some easy ones.

Today was pretty good. Last night Lucas slept through the night. Yeah!! Which is great, and hopefully it will be a trend that continues, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Although with him not eating at night and getting a bottle during the day yesterday I'm a little worried about my supply. Oh well we'll have to see what happens. I'm debating if I should use my working on Wednesday mornings as an opportunity to wean him from one of the feedings. I haven't really looked into weaning him yet but if anyone has any advice please let me know.

I also realized today one of the advantages of going to work is I'm more excited to see Lucas when I get home. But 3ish today I was just putting toys infront of him, whereas yesterday I was interacting more, but becuase I had been away from him for part of the day.

We went to the offleash today with my new neighboor, who I like alot. Totally the kind of person I could be friends with, then we went off to yoga. There was a little more baby interaction this time. Although I'm wondering if Lucas is not good at self entertaining. I'm sure part of it (if not all of it) is my fault, but I"m also wondering if it's part of his personality.....

Anyhoo, here's today's picture, Where in the World Are Jenn and Darryl


The hint is: In the same city as the previous picture.

Till Tommorrow

Jenn

Foolish Games: Jewel

So today has been a big day, but more on that later. Today on the blog we are going to start something new.....

This blog has generally been an update on Lucas and I, which is great for some but probably getting boring for others. So today we are going to start something new. It's a game called Where In The World Are Jenn and Darryl?. I love games and love travel so this game should be a fun one. Darryl and I have been lucky enough to travel a fair bit, so I'll start with pictures of Darryl and I. If anyone would like to add a picture of where they have been so people can guess, let me know. I'll keep adding the daily update of Lucas and I, but I'll try to play this game for a couple of weeks. Plus post your guesses in the comments. I'll post the answer the next day.

So here is today's Where In the World Are Jenn and Darryl:



It's a pretty easy one, but if you'd like a hint it will be at the end of the blog.

So today I went back to work for the first time. It was..... weird. It was totally the case of driving home faster then driving to work. It was good to be back at it again, but no where near as good as the beautiful smiles I got from my man on the way home. I think it went well for Darryl, it will be much quicker for him to figure out spending time with Lucas then it was for me, since Lucas is older and easier going.

It was good to meet this group of students. There were lots of duplicate names, which made it easier to remember, and they seemed to be quite willing to work. I hope I did okay for them...... but I feel tired. Maybe I'll go lay on the couch for a bit.

Till Tommorrow

Jenn

PS The clue is : Russell Crowe

Can't Take My Eyes Off of You- Frank Sinatra

People say that you never realize how much you will love your children until you have your own. That is so so true. I have never loved anyone or anything the way I love Lucas. I had a realization of that last night. I rarely bottle feed Lucas, usually if there is someone else here they do it. We orginally started that becuase it is recommend as to not confuse the baby so they won't expect bottle when breast is offered and vica versa. But Darryl was a volleyball and there was no one else here so I did it. The was no TV or music just me, Lucas and the bottle. The whole time we are just staring at each other. He has those big beautiful blue eyes. Tears start rolling down my face, not sad tears but the happiest tears ever. I love this person more then I ever thought I would. I would do anything for those big beautiful eyes staring at me.

Of couse because I was staring at him he didn't fall asleep. But it didn't take him long once I put him in bed. He then ate once in the night and we had no crying. We've also had a great time with naps today. Not too much fussing to go down. I think I have him figured out for the moment, but it will change again soon.

Yesterday ended up being way more fun then I expected. Auntie Karen showed up at around 2:30ish. So I got to spend the afternoon with her. She just got back from an all inclusive in Cuba. If you have never been on an all inclusive I highly recommend it. It is the most relaxing vacation ever. Darryl and I have been fortunate to go on two, once to Mexico and once to Jamaica. I hope to do many many more. Like I said so relaxing, you come back ready to face the world. The first time I ever went on one I thought I'd be bored. But there was enough to do at the resort and then part of it is doing nothing. I had never really been on a vacation like that before. But it's the best.

Then we went to Mom and Dad's new place and Mom made us a great pasta fagoli soup. Lucas enjoyed seeing his grandparents and Auntie Karen. He loved Auntie Karen's laugh. Her laugh is so animated and he would look for her everytime she did it.

Lucas is becoming a mommy's boy. While we are out he seems to be happiest when with me. Which I'm sure is normal to an extent, but it may be part of his personality coming through. Not the mommy's boy aspect as much as the shyness. Maybe he will grow to be like Darryl, quiet till he warms up to people.

Lucas's new thing this week, along with the da-da-da is sucking on his toes. I will post a picture later this week. It is amazing how flexible he is.

Till Tommorrow ( and the fun new game we are going to play)

Jenn

Come Fly With Me- Frank Sinatra

Well the dogs (Tails and Emma) and the baby are sleeping. Yeah! It's amazing how as an adult you love sleep, but as a child or dog, you'd much rather be playing. Lucas has gone down well for both naps today so I'm really happy about that. Hopefully this one will be a longer one and he won't need a third nap. Although he was up at 3am crying and talking on and off for about 40 minutes. I ended up sleeping in the spare room so that Darryl could get enough sleep, as he has to go to work an hour earlier these days, so that I can go to work as well.

The soft spot on the top of Lucas's head is gone. Another sign he is growing up. I also gave him some green beans today. He had the same reaction as he did the banana, likes the first few mouthfuls and then starts to spit it out. Maybe it's a delayed reaction once he realizes things have flavor. Guess we'll try it again tommorrow. He also loves flying through the air. We had a video conference yesterday with Grammie and Grandad in Ontario and he was very good, but very busy.

Well the rest of our weekend was quite good. It's always so nice to have Darryl home and he did some good cleaning yesterday which is always nice. We are a good team in the cleaning department. He is very through but it takes him a longer time to do things and I can do alot in a short period, but it's all just surface cleaning.

Today is my bestfriend birthday from when I was a kid. Melinda, Happy Birthday. I hope whereever you are you are happy and healthy.

I think that's all for today. Although in two days something fun is going to happen...... stay tuned.....

Till tommorrow

Jenn

Fight for Your Right to Party- Beastie Boys

We just got back from a meeting with the families from our prenatal group. It's interesting becuase when we first met we all had big bellies and no babies, now we all have babies and small bellies =). IT's always intersting to see how much babies are simialar and yet very different as well. They are starting to develop little personalities. The only problem was it wasn't at the best time for us, so we didn't stay long as Lucas was getting fussy from hunger and sleepiness.

Last night we went to Tammy and Pat's and had a blast! Lucas slept in the playpen at their house so we were able to stay out past 7pm. We played poker which is always lots of fun. I laughed till I cried. Plus Pat made us dinner, which was great. It's funny with poker because we don't play with real money, but in the beginning we are very conservative. One dollar here, two dollars there, by the end were betting 20's and 30's. Anyway it was very fun.

We did have a bad night with Lucas though. He woke at 3amish and didn't want to go back to sleep, after 45 m inutes of crying I finally fed him. Which sounds cruel, but as a parent it's so hard to know what to do, and too much crying feels like torture, even if you are trying to teach them something.

Till Tommorrow

Jenn