We are having a hard time teaching Lucas good teeth brushing habits. Does any mothers have any great things they use or used to get their kids to brush their teeth? He doesn't want me to brush them and he like to chew on the brush rather then moving them. Please tell me what you do to get your kids to properly brush your teeth? Other then that things with Lucas have been good these last couple of days, we seem to be adjusting slowly to having the extra person in the house.
Also wanted to thank Allie for the suggestion about the right arm being for Lucas and the left arm being for Nathan, Lucas really likes that analogy.
Jenn
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Two Steps Forward, Two Steps Back
Darryl has had a change in jobs recently and is now working from home. He spent most of last week and weekend putting an office downstairs in the basement. Generally this is great, all in all we get to spend more time as a family. Lucas is taking a little bit of time to get use to this. He has had a couple of major crying fits when he wants to play with Dad cause he's home, but can't understand why he can't becuase Daddy has to work. This is on top of Lucas having to get use to sharing his mom. Which has been a really hard transistion for both he and I. Somedays are better then others, but the good days are starting to out number the days when he tells me, sometimes I'm a good mother and sometimes I'm not. Or that he doesn't love his mommy.
Things with Nathan continue to go really well. I amazed at how much easier things are with the second. Its like once you've been through it once have a good idea of how long things last for and you've seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Even with the troubles I'm having with Lucas, I think things would be easier if I knew when our relationship would get better again. Nathan continues to smile lots. He is also starting to grab onto things, like Lucas's fingers or my hair, or Darryl's chest hair. My Oma and Opa were here on the weekend to meet their second great grandson and they were impressed with his head control.
Although I would like to spend this weekend working on getting our yard turned from a mud pit into a play area, our neighboors are not ready yet, so instead we are having to rebuild the deck at our old house. We got a call from our lawyer that the City has a problem with it, and as part of the sale of the house, the city has to give compliance to the real property report...... so to get that compliance we need to move the deck. Crazy! Oh well at least we'll be outside in someones backyard this weekend.
Till Tomorrow
Jenn
Things with Nathan continue to go really well. I amazed at how much easier things are with the second. Its like once you've been through it once have a good idea of how long things last for and you've seen the light at the end of the tunnel. Even with the troubles I'm having with Lucas, I think things would be easier if I knew when our relationship would get better again. Nathan continues to smile lots. He is also starting to grab onto things, like Lucas's fingers or my hair, or Darryl's chest hair. My Oma and Opa were here on the weekend to meet their second great grandson and they were impressed with his head control.
Although I would like to spend this weekend working on getting our yard turned from a mud pit into a play area, our neighboors are not ready yet, so instead we are having to rebuild the deck at our old house. We got a call from our lawyer that the City has a problem with it, and as part of the sale of the house, the city has to give compliance to the real property report...... so to get that compliance we need to move the deck. Crazy! Oh well at least we'll be outside in someones backyard this weekend.
Till Tomorrow
Jenn
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Spring Playlist
As we have had nothing but rain here for at least a week, we've been inside listening and dancing to lots of music. Also my son and husband know me well that for Mothers day I got a iTunes gift certificate. =) So I thought I'd share with you some of the music we've been listening to during the rain.
First is the new BNL album, Snacktime (surprise, surprise). It's a kids album and is excellent. Great for both adults and kids. My favorites on it are Pollywog in a Bog (it's SO great), There's a word for that, I can Sing, I Don't Like and Bad Day.
With the rest of the money I've got a variety of things. Here is a copy of my newest playlist.
1.Violet Hill Coldplay (this song was free from the Coldplay Website)
2. Sealion Feist (this song is really upbeat and fun
3. Homeless (With Ladysmith Black Mambazo) Sarah McLachlan & Ladysmith Black Mambazo,
4. In the Sun Michael Stipe & Chris Martin (this song has been out for a bit, but it stilll good)
5. All Apologies Sinéad O'Connor (A cover of the Nirvana song)
6. My Humps (Black Eyed Peas Cover) Alanis Morissette
7. Words & Fire Sam Roberts (from their new album)
8. Falling Slowly Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (from the Once Soundtrack, thanks Sari)
9. Underneath Alanis Morissette (from her new album Flavors Of Entanglement)
10. Innocence Avril Lavigne
11. Love At the End of the World Sam Roberts
12. Details In the Fabric (feat. James Morrison) Jason Mraz
13. Fixed to Ruin Sam Roberts(from his new album Love At the End of the World)
14. I'm Yours (From the Casa Nova Sessions) Jason Mraz
15. Shut Up and Let Me Go The Ting Tings (this is the new song from the ipod commercial)
16. Streetcorner Symphony Rob Thomas
17. Old Brown's Daughter Great Big Sea
Till tomorrow
Jenn
First is the new BNL album, Snacktime (surprise, surprise). It's a kids album and is excellent. Great for both adults and kids. My favorites on it are Pollywog in a Bog (it's SO great), There's a word for that, I can Sing, I Don't Like and Bad Day.
With the rest of the money I've got a variety of things. Here is a copy of my newest playlist.
1.Violet Hill Coldplay (this song was free from the Coldplay Website)
2. Sealion Feist (this song is really upbeat and fun
3. Homeless (With Ladysmith Black Mambazo) Sarah McLachlan & Ladysmith Black Mambazo,
4. In the Sun Michael Stipe & Chris Martin (this song has been out for a bit, but it stilll good)
5. All Apologies Sinéad O'Connor (A cover of the Nirvana song)
6. My Humps (Black Eyed Peas Cover) Alanis Morissette
7. Words & Fire Sam Roberts (from their new album)
8. Falling Slowly Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (from the Once Soundtrack, thanks Sari)
9. Underneath Alanis Morissette (from her new album Flavors Of Entanglement)
10. Innocence Avril Lavigne
11. Love At the End of the World Sam Roberts
12. Details In the Fabric (feat. James Morrison) Jason Mraz
13. Fixed to Ruin Sam Roberts(from his new album Love At the End of the World)
14. I'm Yours (From the Casa Nova Sessions) Jason Mraz
15. Shut Up and Let Me Go The Ting Tings (this is the new song from the ipod commercial)
16. Streetcorner Symphony Rob Thomas
17. Old Brown's Daughter Great Big Sea
Till tomorrow
Jenn
Friday, May 23, 2008
Kicking My Own Ass
Dear Jenn,
Well after posts and posts of how hard life is, I think it time to give myself a swift kick in the ass. Come Jenn, you life an amazing life, shape up.
You get to spend everyday with both of your kids. If you lived in the states, you'd be going back to work, you don't have to go back to work for 11 months. Enjoy this time, you live in a great country that values family, enjoy the advantage.
You have a husband who is an AMAZING dad. He comes home at 5pm every day and is an active part of the house and parenting.
You have a healthy baby. A smart toddler.
You have a mother and father who are the best support you can imagine. When you thank them for it, they thank you back.
Stop your complaining, things could be a thousand times worse.
Your welcome,
Yourself.
Well after posts and posts of how hard life is, I think it time to give myself a swift kick in the ass. Come Jenn, you life an amazing life, shape up.
You get to spend everyday with both of your kids. If you lived in the states, you'd be going back to work, you don't have to go back to work for 11 months. Enjoy this time, you live in a great country that values family, enjoy the advantage.
You have a husband who is an AMAZING dad. He comes home at 5pm every day and is an active part of the house and parenting.
You have a healthy baby. A smart toddler.
You have a mother and father who are the best support you can imagine. When you thank them for it, they thank you back.
Stop your complaining, things could be a thousand times worse.
Your welcome,
Yourself.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Guy Smiley
Nathan has become a really smiley baby. Especially when we've had good feeds, good poops and good sleeps. Oh the life of a baby. Here is his happiness.
Till Tomorrow
Jenn
Till Tomorrow
Jenn
6 Weeks
Today was my 6 week check up. I quite like my family doctor, he is very soft spoken, loves kids and is very kind. But I think part of him would like to be a therapist. He is always very concerned about his patients feelings, which I know is a common thing for a 6 week visit, but he always asks about my "emotional health". Today when he asked I talk about things I wrote in the monthly newsletter about the feeling of neglecting one child while I was tending to the other. I expected him to tell me it would get better as Nathan got older, but he told me the opposite, that as they get older it gets harder. He talked about himself going camping with his kids and although they were together as a family, the kids have different interests, so he has to split his time with them. I just find life to be much easier when there is just one. Like today Lucas is at his dayhome and I can focus all my attention on Nathan. Or when Darryl's home and we can divide and conquer. He also talked about how part of parenting is teaching your kids independence. That Lucas can't always be mothered. They need to know I'll always be there for them, but they don't always need me there. It was a really interesting perspective. It certainly made me think I am not having any more kids, or at least waiting until these kids are in school. It's okay now because Darryl and I can play one on one, but if the kids outnumber the adults.....
So tell me parents, does it get easier, was the doctor pulling my chain? Or do you always feel torn between your kids?
Till Tomorrow
Jenn
So tell me parents, does it get easier, was the doctor pulling my chain? Or do you always feel torn between your kids?
Till Tomorrow
Jenn
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monthly Newsletter- Month Thirty Three
Dear Lucas,
Well this is going to be a tough newsletter to write to you. Generally newsletters are filled with happy memories and all of the things you've accomplished in the month or things that you are into. The thing is in the past month the thing that really stands out for me about you is how I feel like I'm neglecting you, disciplining you and you now prefer everyone else to your mother.
I had a good cry about this last week and your Dad put it into perspective, but it still is very challenging this transistion we are going through. I am learning to be a mother to two boys and you are learning how to share your mother with a very needy person. But you had always been quite loyal to me. Yes, you love all the family around you, but at night when you called out it was always my name, if your Dad went in, it just wasn't the same. We had so much fun together and you loved to spend time with me. Granted you are now having to spend more time with me, and we still do have fun, but I can see your independance from me. Part of me is so happy that you love to spend time with your Dad, Grandma and Pop and your Aunts. But it breaks my heart when you cry because you are being dropped off at home with me. Or when you tell me to go away when I come into the room where you are playing with someone else. Or when you cry that I am doing tubbing and not Daddy. Maybe I'm being selfish, but I miss being at the top of your list of people to spend time with.
Again generally in this newsletter I mention all your accomplishments, but with the advent of Nathan, you seem to want to be a baby again. I know all the books say this is going to happen and I expect it, but I'm still finding it a bit challenging not to lose my temper when you are acting this way. Don't get me wrong, you are still such a great kid. If I need a nap in the afternoon, you are willing to play quietly so I can sleep. When I ask you to get something for me, you are quite willing to do that.
One thing that has changed this month is your need/ability to apolgize. You are really learning a sense of right and wrong. You know that when you spill something, or break something that is bad. You'll often ask if Dad will be mad (even if it's my nailpolish you break). You apoligize to us when we get you in trouble. I am grateful for you sense of regret for doing something wrong and although you often don't learn things the first time you get in trouble, it often doesn't take too many tries. Time outs are few and far between, but are an effective punshiment if we need to use them. I remember as a kid, the warning of getting a spanking and glad that timeouts are just as effective.
I am really trying to do fun things with you. We have still managed to go to the Science center, zoo, library, Playtopia and the park numerous times this month. We often spend time in the evenings riding your bike around the pond. But even though I work hard at making being home with me fun times, I still feel like I'm neglecting you, which I probably am, but it's just something we are both going to have to learn to deal with.....
I cut your hair, all by myself.
No matter what Lucas I love you more then I ever knew it was possible to love another. I hope in the end, wheter that is a couple of months or a couple of years you will be glad to have a sibling and this difficult transistion we are going through right now will be a distant memory and something that only monthly newsletter recall. That the advantages to having a playmate and this other person in your life outweigh the challenges.
love mommy
Well this is going to be a tough newsletter to write to you. Generally newsletters are filled with happy memories and all of the things you've accomplished in the month or things that you are into. The thing is in the past month the thing that really stands out for me about you is how I feel like I'm neglecting you, disciplining you and you now prefer everyone else to your mother.
I had a good cry about this last week and your Dad put it into perspective, but it still is very challenging this transistion we are going through. I am learning to be a mother to two boys and you are learning how to share your mother with a very needy person. But you had always been quite loyal to me. Yes, you love all the family around you, but at night when you called out it was always my name, if your Dad went in, it just wasn't the same. We had so much fun together and you loved to spend time with me. Granted you are now having to spend more time with me, and we still do have fun, but I can see your independance from me. Part of me is so happy that you love to spend time with your Dad, Grandma and Pop and your Aunts. But it breaks my heart when you cry because you are being dropped off at home with me. Or when you tell me to go away when I come into the room where you are playing with someone else. Or when you cry that I am doing tubbing and not Daddy. Maybe I'm being selfish, but I miss being at the top of your list of people to spend time with.
Again generally in this newsletter I mention all your accomplishments, but with the advent of Nathan, you seem to want to be a baby again. I know all the books say this is going to happen and I expect it, but I'm still finding it a bit challenging not to lose my temper when you are acting this way. Don't get me wrong, you are still such a great kid. If I need a nap in the afternoon, you are willing to play quietly so I can sleep. When I ask you to get something for me, you are quite willing to do that.
One thing that has changed this month is your need/ability to apolgize. You are really learning a sense of right and wrong. You know that when you spill something, or break something that is bad. You'll often ask if Dad will be mad (even if it's my nailpolish you break). You apoligize to us when we get you in trouble. I am grateful for you sense of regret for doing something wrong and although you often don't learn things the first time you get in trouble, it often doesn't take too many tries. Time outs are few and far between, but are an effective punshiment if we need to use them. I remember as a kid, the warning of getting a spanking and glad that timeouts are just as effective.
I am really trying to do fun things with you. We have still managed to go to the Science center, zoo, library, Playtopia and the park numerous times this month. We often spend time in the evenings riding your bike around the pond. But even though I work hard at making being home with me fun times, I still feel like I'm neglecting you, which I probably am, but it's just something we are both going to have to learn to deal with.....
I cut your hair, all by myself.
No matter what Lucas I love you more then I ever knew it was possible to love another. I hope in the end, wheter that is a couple of months or a couple of years you will be glad to have a sibling and this difficult transistion we are going through right now will be a distant memory and something that only monthly newsletter recall. That the advantages to having a playmate and this other person in your life outweigh the challenges.
love mommy
Monday, May 19, 2008
How I Met My Mother
On Monday nights Darryl and I both enjoy some laughs while watching " How I Met My Mother". One of the characters is from Canada and they have some hilarious Canadian jokes. Tonight:
The boyfriend: I got us two tickets to the Bruce Springsteen
The Canadian: I love Bruce Springsteen, he's like the American Bryan Adams.
Hilarious!
Till Tomorrow
Jenn
The boyfriend: I got us two tickets to the Bruce Springsteen
The Canadian: I love Bruce Springsteen, he's like the American Bryan Adams.
Hilarious!
Till Tomorrow
Jenn
Redemption to Mother Nature
I've been horrible to the enviorment for the last month. Having a newborn is not good for the enviroment. All those diapers, all the leaking I do. We seem to have created much more garbage. I use to pride myself on only having one bag of garbage every week, but for the last month we've had two.
But I'm back on the green wagon now. I've been using facecloths rather then bum wipes. And yesterday at the grocery store I bought a small concentrated bottle of laundry soap, rather then a huge one. Even something small like that is helping. Less packaging, smaller bottle, but same price and same number of loads as the big bottle.
Now we'll have to see about cloth diapers....
Till Tomorrow
Jenn
But I'm back on the green wagon now. I've been using facecloths rather then bum wipes. And yesterday at the grocery store I bought a small concentrated bottle of laundry soap, rather then a huge one. Even something small like that is helping. Less packaging, smaller bottle, but same price and same number of loads as the big bottle.
Now we'll have to see about cloth diapers....
Till Tomorrow
Jenn
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