Good Bye 2009!!

It has been another great year for us, lots of happiness, laughs and prosperity.

A year in review:
Brooklyn: moved to a toddler bed (Jan) became a big sister (April) and potty trained (Aug), started preschool (Nov)

Brycen: was born (April), rolled over (July), Sat up (Aug), Crawling (Oct) First words -momma and dadda (Nov) Cruising across furniture (Dec) Hopefully 2010 brings your first tooth buddy!

favorite quotes of 2009...
1. Mamma!! and dadada!! - Brycen
2. Mommy, I am so glad I have a brover! Brooklyn


most adorable moments:
1. Brooklyn singing tinkle tinkle to her brand new baby brother.
2. Brycen sitting with mom and dad comes in the door, I ask him who's here and he says "dadda dadda!"

Most heroic moment: Daddy fixing stuff. "my hero daddy!" Brooklyn

Best vacation: Trip to the cottage in October
Worst Drive: To Brockville in labour and we ran out of gas

Worst day of the year: Brycen's febrile seizure and hospital trip
Best days of the year: Brycen's birth, Brooklyn's Christmas this year! (So fun!)

Most difficult challenge of our lives: The sleep deprivation (boy you are a terrible sleeper)
Greatest feat: Brycen learning to crawl...that kid was determined.

Good Bye 2009 you were good to us and we are hoping for a purposeful and rewarding 2010.


Just a little FYI: For the first time in almost 20 years, a bright "blue moon" will grace New Year's Eve celebrations worldwide.

Christmas Pictures

It's Christmas Time

What an exciting few days we have had. The kids had so much fun and have ben super troopers with all the late nights and broken naps.

Christmas morning was awesome, we left cookies and milk out for Santa and Brooklyn was so thrilled Santa ate them and drank the milk. We left Santa a letter and he wrote back, he filled the stockings and left presents. She loved it and she really loves to see everyone too. She is so social, once she gets past the shy part. All in all it was a great Christmas and a Steller 2009.

PICS TO COME

It's Christmas eve

I am so excited for it to be the first Christmas eve Brooklyn kinda gets the Santa thing. We baked our Santa cookies to leave for him, we will sprinkle reindeer food on the lawn and then we will head out to the traditional Italian feast at Nonno's.

I love Christmas!!! This is when all the prep work (cooking, baking, planning, buying, shopping ect) This is what we all wait for!!!!

(PICS TO COME!)

He is on the move

and the jump, today he jumped out of his crib and landed on his head. Silly Boy! He is fine but man he is busy!

Tis the Season!!!

to be busy running around like a chicken with my head cut off! So much to do in so little time. I have really come to learn that if you only look forward to CHristmas day you will be sadly disappointed at how quickly it will all be over. SO....I have tried very hard to make lots of things special throughout the month. Some things are writing our letters to Santa, going to look at Christmas Lights, decorating the Gingerbread house, the grand ole tree hunt, The parades, Breakfast with Santa, Ornament exchanges, reading the night before Christmas the night before Christmas, visits to see Santa, Christmas Baking and who can forget plenty of Christmas Shopping!

I am definitely trying to focus on the season of Christmas so that it all doesn't end so quickly.

I tell ya though I am having some Christmas Blues, we are 3 days from Christmas and I can already feel that ending coming and it is making me sad. Focus on the here and now Gina!

Breakfast with Santa

December 12 2009

Is feeling ever so thankful

for the way our lives are going.
We have a beautiful house that we have personalized to turn into our 1st home as a family.
We have food in the fridge and in the cupboards.
We have presents under the tree for our family
We have money in the bank and we have money to afford not only the necessity's but the things we want to.
We have come along way baby!

Dont Blink!

Cause just like that your baby's growing up to fast. Today I held a 2 month old, she was 12 lbs! She had those jerky movements and the bawled up fists and those precious baby coos. That was when I realized my baby is growing up, not that he is old by any stretch but he isn't a newborn and in 4 months he will be a year. Where did these last 8 months go????? Life goes by as I was planning each day, waking up many times at night and basically just living life.

As much as there are moments where I just wish my kids where grown up there are moments I wish I could just freeze frame this instant. Like when I am kissing there baby cheeks or listening to them tell me they love me. There are so many precious moments I know I am going to miss as they get older I just hope at the very least I can always remember these precious moments!

I love my babies!

Blast from the Past

December 2008

Precious Moments

Cause some really are more special then others!

Peek a Boo

You are soo cute! Mommy loves you!

The good ole Christmas Tree Hunt

Christmas is a special time

This is the first year that my vision as a young person feels truly complete in my heart. I have a great husband and my 2 perfect babies. This is how I always pictured my life to look like. I am so happy how I have created my life.

Budding personality

Well boy of mine your personality is definitely budding. Where you use to be laid back and quiet now you are busy and determined. You are persistent and slightly stubborn and I foresee a temper in your future.

Some funny things I have noticed about you
* When you are rocked to sleep you love to pinch our necks...it hurts; you pinch hard! When you were a newborn you use to hold our noses as you were going to sleep.
* You love to be hung upside down...your sister absolutely did not. Daredevil maybe!?!?
* You don't need much sleep...you are a cat nap king (as was your sister) and at 7.5 months I can still count on one hand the amount of times you have slept for 5+ hours)
*You have determination like I have never seen, right now you are hell bound to move around so you spend endless time getting up on all 4's, pulling up, creeping around, frustrated and determined the whole time. Soon boy be patient!
*You love TV! The darn thing can be on in another room and the moment you hear it you crank your neck to find it.
*You are a complete and total momma's boy! You reach for me, kiss on me, cry for me....pretty much 24/7 when I am around.
*You are a later teether then your sister...she had one 1/2 teeth by now!
*You love to wave hello and bye, and you are a patty cake champ!
*You are a social butterfly, you chat up the men and flirt with the ladies.
* You are a keeper that's for sure!

Out of the mouths of babes!

I wish I would of had the camera ready for this one....

Brooklyn grabbed 2 clementines yesterday stuck them in her shirt and said Look at my boobies mom!! Oh my god I almost fell on the floor laughing. Can you say 2 going on 15 hahaha!

1st day of pre school

Another bittersweet milestone passed. Preschool....you loved it and you did great!! Seriously though where does the time go. It seems like just yesterday I was watching you crawl around the house.

I picked you up after a long day of anticipation and you know what the first thing you said to me "what do you have in your mouth mom....GUM...?!?" You pryed it out of my my mouth with your fingers.

Siblings at 6 months!

Baby Bums...I love em!

Brooklyn at 8 months!

Brycen at 6.5 months!

When did my baby grow up?!

You use to just be a big blob of baby but it seems like all of a sudden you have developed a personality, you are babbling nonstop, have learned how to sit and pull up to stand. The other day you started yelling at me when I took a dirty cloth away from you. Separation anxiety has hit and I can barely go pee without my little "big" man on top of me or sitting in front of me in the bathroom. On top of that your hair has grown longer, you have lost that baby look and have put on lots of chub, you are always laughing and giggling; usually at your sister.

By the way you are such a boy, about a month ago you found your wiener, and every time I take your diaper off your hands go down and you grab at yourself with a big ole grin....the other day you grabbed it and peed all over yourself right up to your mouth and head. Brooklyn and I had a good laugh at the silly look on your face after getting pee in your mouth. (Did I just say that out loud, oh honey it is my job as your mommy to embarrass you.) There is no rule that says it can only start at your teen years.

Stealing Cinderella

I came to see her daddy for sit down man to man
It wasn't any secret i'd be asking for her hand
I guess that's why he left me waiting in the living room by myself
with at least a dozen pictures of her sitting on a shelf

[Chorus;]

She was playing Cinderella
She was riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad, looking up at him
In her eyes i'm Prince Charming
But to him i'm just some fella
riding in and stealing Cinderella

I leaned in towards those pictures to get a better look at one
When I heard a voice behind me say "Now, ain't she something, son?"
I said "Yes, she quite a woman" and he just stared at me
Then I realized that in his eyes she would always be

Playing Cinderella
Riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad, looking up at him
In her eyes i'm Prince Charming
But to him i'm just some fella riding in and stealing Cinderella

He slapped me on the shoulder
Then he called her in the room
When she threw her arms around him
That's when I could see it too

She was Playing Cinderella
Riding her first bike
Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight
Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin
Dancing with her dad, looking up at him
If he gives me a hard time
I can't blame the fella
I'm the one who's stealing Cinderella

Today!

Today I will hold and hug my babies a little tighter and a little longer because today like every other day there is a momma and daddy who is scared for, sad for or praying for their own baby who may be sick or dying.

Today I am reminded of this.

Here is prayers to you Mcmama and Baby Stellan! http://www.mycharmingkids.net/

My favorite things!

Slobbery kisses
"I love you momma" when I go in to tuck in my little lamb
Stealing kisses on pudgy cheeks
Babby belly laughs when I pinch chubby baby thighs
Dimpled baby bums
Hearing sibling giggles
Listening to Brooklyn sing to Brycen, melts me!
Cuddles any ole time of the day!

Time is a flying!!!

Not only is it November and already I am excited for and preparing for Christmas but life in general flies by.
It really is so important that I remember to live in the moment and enjoy the journey because before long my life as I know it now will be nothing but a memory. *Sigh*

My goal as a mother and as a person with purpose is to always be grateful for the things that are so easy to take for granted.

* Our health
* 2 healthy beautiful, smart, happy babies.
* A roof over our head and food on the table.
* A husband that loves me and would do anything for me
* A wonderful family!!
* Wonderful friends!!

I am soo blessed!

All better NOW!

Oh man we have had a tough start to the week.
My poor baby girl had her very first tummy bug and it brought up so much fear in me over this whole H1N1 crap I almost lost it. I felt so useless when my poor baby puked. I was scared and panicked and I just felt so useless. I have never felt so much fear since I had kids and I tell you this fear is terrifying, a sick baby is terrifying for any parent.
Dear Lord, please keep my babies healthy, happy and safe for ever and please keep me healthy and safe and healthy long enough to watch them grow and have families of their own.
xoxoxo

This just reconfirms my favorite quote
Before you were conceived, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. Before you were an hour old I would die for you. This is the miracle of love.

I love my babies, you both have forever left your kisses in my heart and your footprints on my soul. My life would be nothing without you!

Halloween 2009

Was a big hit for Brooklyn this year. We had a blast going door to door. She kept saying can we go again after each door. She filled her bucket and dads pockets! What a blast!!!

God Love her!

Brooklyn is an excellent big sister (when she isn't beating up her little brother) she is most definitly momma's helper and spends her days following me trying to help me from sweeping, cleaning, cooking and taking care of Brycen.

For every step I take forward when Brooklyn is helping it is like 6 back but god love her she is trying so hard and I absolutely love her for it.

Today while feeding Brycen his dinner of pureed chicken and veggies, she noticed he was messy because he thinks it is a good idea to stick his fingers in hos mouth after I have put the spoon of food in hehe. She grabs a cloth and goes to the bathroom sink to wet it so she can clean him up (such a sweet girl) as she soakes the cloth and pulls it out from the stream of water she soaks the floor and leaves a puddle trail all the way to Brycen. God love her.

The other day he was crying while in his excersaucer, after attempting to cheer him up but failing she pulls him out of the saucer thinking she will carry him to me. He weighs the same as her. God love her.

This happens daily or at least as often as I put away laundry, it is all folded nicely in the basket ready to be placed into the proper drawers, she wanting to help, picks out a pile unfolds the whole dam thing and throws it in the drawers in a ball. God love her.

I love that she wants to be so helpful, I just cant wait till she is actually helping. hehe!

xoxo

I love you my girl!

A little bit of honesty!

Most mothers want to do what is absolutely best for their children, it seems to be part of that maternal instinct that kicks in upon holding your precious bundle of joy.
I know for myself my babies are my world, my life, my everything. Since becoming a mother I fear so many things for them from simple things like getting their feelings hurt, heart broken, hurting themselves ect to the big things of what would happen should something happen to me or their dad, to what would happen to me if they became ill or god forbid something more serious. The thought instantly brings me to tears.

We are going through a bit of a pandemic at the moment, swine flu is what it is all though they recently changed the name to H1N1 (pigs were getting a bad rep) LOL! The media is going insane with this and people are panicked. They have recently invented the vax which is suppose to keep us all safe from this (I write this very lightly) as I have done my homework on not only this vaccine but on all of them and I try not to get feared into making a choice I don't agree with. I have never once batted an eye at getting the regular flu shot and I still have no real grounds to feel I nor my kids need it.

I have however spent much time contemplating this H1N1 vax. Why.....because it is safe....NO! Because I am worried my kids are going to die.....Not necessarily!....because the media has scared me into feeling like if I dont do it my child will get sick and die...PARTLY! Rationally I know many people who have had confirmed H1N1 and survived to tell the tale but the media is going nuts over the deaths (which in the big scheme of things is not a huge number) and to be frank it is really causing me to second guess myself.

If I didn't have so much emotion and love tied into my babies I really wouldn't even question my beliefs about vaccines little on a brand spanking new vaccine but because I love my babies to pieces my role as mommy sometimes gets a little complicated.

Innocence of a child

You are beautiful and spunky, wild and free. You are curious and rambunctious and empathetic and kind. There is so much depth to you and I am loving every moment of getting to know every inch of your budding personality.

I'm so proud of my little girl, and while she drives me bonkers some days, she's a joy; my joy.

I love her smile.

Her eyes blow me away every time I look at them.

She's an adventurous eater.

She loves to sing and dance.

She loves babies, playing with babies, and caring for babies.

She loves crafts especially colouring and painting.

She has her daddy's curls.

I love my girl, Brooklyn Maryna

Chunky Monkey

Every one says you are a big boy and that you most certainly are. You are the same weight as your 2.5 year old sister, but you are solid and happy...boy are u ever light hearted and joyous!
I do love those cheeks. I just want to squeeze them, oh wait, I do...daily!

20 Weird Questions That Will Give a Little Insight Into Who I Am

1. What is your favorite thing to snack on while you're blogging?

I haven't really ever snacked while blogging, I do drink coffee lots of coffee!

2. What is one thing you wouldn't want to live without?

I'm going to skip over my family, because they aren't things. I really love my computer, some days it is my only connection to people older the 2!

3. Beach, Mountains or Farm? Where would you live if you had a choice?

Um a beach or a farm. Mountains are pretty though :)

4. What's your least favorite chore/household duty?

Vaccuming, I hate pulling it out, lugging it around and putting it back!

5. Who do people say you remind them of?

I have been told Sandra Bullock but I don't see it.

6. Prefer parties and socializing or staying at home with the fam?

Yes. I really love parties and socializing. But I have a really strange people threshold: I decide I want to go home at the oddest times. I love my family, and I really love sitting at home eating ice cream, drinking coffee, hanging out, and watching a movie. All of that happens at once, by the way.

7. What's your all time favorite movie?

I suck at remembering movies long enough to decide what my all time favorite is but at the moment I really love The proposal and Hangover.

8. Do you sleep in your make up or remove it like a good girl every night?

I take it off most night but sometimes I am just to dam lazy :)

9. Do you have a hidden talent or a deep desire to learn something that you've never had a chance to learn? What is it?

I love photography and I'd love to learn more about it. Hidden talent... I don't know if I have one...

10. What's one strange thing you're really good at?

I really don't know the answer to that. I have stuff I'm good at. But I don't know if any of them are strange.

11. What first attracted you to your spouse?

His personality, He is big and fun and every where he goes he has people following around, he trully is the life of the party!

12. What is something you love to smell?

Mmm home baking, cookies, pies, banana bread it is all so comforting yum yum!

13. Tell something about you that you know irritates people.

I interrupt people mid-sentence.

14. When you have extra money (HA!) what's the first thing you think to do with it?

haircut and eyebrow waxing!

15. Are you a silent laugher or a loud laugher? What makes you laugh the hardest?

I am not an overlly loud laugher but I am not quiet either, I love sarcasm, it just tickles me to pieces.

16. Where is your favorite place to shop?

Walmart now but before kids I would of said Warren's or On Top of the World

17. What's one thing you'd do more often if you had more time?

Photography and reading.

18. Are you a big spender or frugal?

Frugal but not necessarily by choice!

19. Who is your favorite character of all time (from a movie or book)?

hmm at the moment Sookie from the Sookie Stackhouse novels.

20. Would you want to be famous?

No, having my life under constant scrutiny is much to much pressure for me thanks.

Just a little tid bit about me!

It isn't just the babes who are getting older!

Today as I noticed my babies who are growing up so quickly, it sunk in that really they aren't the only ones getting older.... I am too. I have noticed in the past 2 years not just one gray hair but a few here and there, not just smile lines any more but crow's feet, my hands are no longer as smooth and line free as thy once are. It isn't just my babies that are aging...I am too!

I admit though, this has been the best time of my life so far!

Slacker!!

I know I know I am slacking!
Life has gotten busy I will write soon. I promise. All in all the kids are good, Jeff and I are good and we are enjoying the ride at the moment.

To School or Not to school

Brooklyn has been asking to go school and I kept telling her that she needs to wait till she is potty trained....well she has been that way for months now and once again she keeps asking when she can go to school. I have been playing with the idea of sending her off to some sort of preschool because a) I think she really could use the extra stimulation and b) it would be a fantastic change in her routine and I think she needs that.

I have hummed and hawed over this idea for months and I think it is time for her to be exposed to a new environment and new opportunities. It just doesn't seem to happen here much any more. There isn't enough time in my day to come up with the activity, prepare the activity, help with the activity and then clean up all the while dealing with Brycen. After I finally got over my own guilt of sending my child to a preschool when I am still at home felt selfish but I finally looked at the big picture and really had to get real that this wasn't about me needing a break from her or any other reason then she is no longer challenged or stimulated at home and I can only do so much.

In this pursuit I needed to decide what would be best for her and her needs. A daycare...nope...a half day preschool.... hmmm well I dont really want yet another drop off at the school....nope... a Montessori preschool.....BINGO! Back in my days before kids when I was studying different types of care situations a Montessori was so out in my opinion because I felt the extreme structure and perspective to raise a mini adult was appalling to me and I felt a child should be treated like a child not an adult. Well I suppose different children need different things and I truly believe a Montessori approach is just what Miss. B needs to improve her concentration and focus.
Needless to say tomorrow night Brooklyn will be coming to meet her teacher, check out the environment and if all works out she will begin in November. Did I mention she is exstatic about this and keeps saying "Is it time to go to school mom, I want to go now Mom!

I live for your kisses!

Because I cant do one and not the other

Brooklyn is 2 1/2 and when I say that out loud to myself I could fall over. Where has the time gone, it seems like only yesterday I was pregnant with you my girl. In the past 2 years you have grown and changed so much. You are bright as a whip and busy as can be. You love to run and jump and sing and dance. You are so verbal and articulate and every day you blow my mind with the things you say and do. You are such a big girl now and I love you so much my beautiful girl.

Look at this girl.....I know I am in so much trouble as soon as the boys are old enough to look at her. She is a knock out!

6 months old ALREADY!

I meant to do this yesterday but life got in the way. Anyway 6 months ago today my little man was born. I cannot believe how quickly life has flown by since your birth and I love you more and more each day.
Every day your changing and growing and shaping into the little person God has intended you to be. You are still so happy go lucky and laid back and you love to giggle.
The milestones you have hit are giggling, babbling (you are a huge talker) sitting up and rolling over.
One of my favorite things to do with you is cuddle because you are a total cuddle bug and you give mommy the best kisses. You pull my cheeks toward you open up your mouth and practically make out with my face.

Little man you are growing up so fast but you are such a great addition into our perfect little family.
I love you boy!

My boy!!!

So there is this boy, he stole my heart....he calls me mommy!

Happy Anniversary Baby!

One year ago today we tied the knot!

What has changed in one year, we have our baby boy and our perfect family is complete!
Each day I love you more and more.
Hoping for another million more with you and many more memories to be made!
I love you boy!

Why do I love you so!

Today my almost 2.5 year old asked me why I love her...... it took me back for a moment and even though some days she makes me want to rip my hair out at the roots I also know that she is the reason I wake up in the morning, the reason I smile when I feel there is not much to smile for and both my babies are the reason I am who I am and I wouldn't change any of that. I love you both because you are you and You are the most special people in my life!

Why do you love me you ask......because you are a part of me, a creation of me, born out of love and raised with that too.

I will love you forever, Like you for always as long as your living my baby you will be!!!!

Daddy's Birthday is TODAY

and we tried to make it as special as we could. We gave him a gift he really wanted, took him out to breakfast for Mcmuffins and hash browns (seriously the only way to eat without running out the door) daddy and Brooklyn had their hair cuts. All in all a fantastic day!

As a tribute to dad I have included my favorite daddy and his babes pics!